The Conference on Islam in America

The Conference on Islam in America
DePaul University’s loop campus
Depaul University, Chicago
September 23-24, 2011

News and Media Representations of Islam and Muslims
The Face of Islam in America: Racialization and Space in the Media Panel

Mike Ghouse presents:

ABSTRACT:

            Since Sept. 11, 2001, a negative image of Muslims was successfully portrayed in the media, tilting Americans toward buying stereotypical images of Muslims. However, the year 2010 witnessed a dramatic shift in auto-correcting that error.

The Ground Zero Mosque, nay, the Muslim community center in New York was a major turning point in adding the average American Muslim to the media mix of public faces who were not only moderates but also contributors to the overall prosperity and security of America. This has gradually changed the perceptions about Muslims; the average American can relate with this segment of common Muslim voices sidelined heretofore.

A fuller picture of engaging Muslim diversity has thus emerged in civic society; from speakers with beards and head coverings to no head coverings and no beards, just as a majority of Muslims live their day to day life like all others.

While the intolerant ones in all groupings are in a panic mode, the religious leaders from every faith spoke up against gratuitous divisiveness caused by demonstrations at a Mosque in California or other mosques including the Ground Zero Mosque. The Anti-Sharia theme is not going to fade away, even though many a Muslims have articulated against a remote possibility of Sharia in America, the fears are hyped and the perceptions are real.

During all of this Americans got to hear the common Muslim voices sidelined heretofore. The peaceful revolutions in the Middle East have upset the business of a few who had successfully cashed in on painting Muslims as terrorists. Time Magazine lists several Muslims among the 100 Influential individuals of 2011. They are not only the heroes for heralding a new era but they also provide positive role models for Muslims to look up to. The capstone to this sea change is the end of an evil era; thank God Osama bin Laden is now gone for good. It is the best news Muslims have had in a decade.

             Questions about freedom of religion and the first amendment were dangled and a range of discussion were carried on including the character of the nation; should America lead the world and set the standards for co-existence or dig in her heels?   

The Muslims in Media have emerged in the last year and are pounding sense with the main stream public. Muslims are engaged in building cohesive societies where no one has to live in apprehension of the other.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and the public. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Politics, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace. Over a thousand articles have been published on the topics and two of his books are poised to be released on Pluralism and Islam. Mike's work is reflected in 4 website's and 27 Blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/ and you can find all of his current articles at www.TheGhousediary.com

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