Understanding Muslim views of the US
A conversation about U.S. relations with the Muslim world was re-examined Tuesday night as an expert on Muslim populations spoke at USU.
Ahmed Younis, senior analyst of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, addressed students and faculty on the topic, “Who really speaks for the Muslim world?” He debunked theories about Muslims’ views of America, including the idea that Muslims hate Americans and believe 9/11 was justified.
Younis recently helped direct a Gallup survey of more than 1 billion Muslims and examined the data to discover how the Islamic voice compares with the views of many Americans. Younis said most Americans would be surprised by the answers.
In asking Muslims what they admire most about America, the number one response was technological advances, followed by freedom, democracy and participatory government. When Americans were asked the same question, they answered with freedom, democracy and participatory government first, and technology second.
The first question Younis presented was: “Why do they hate us?” He first defined ‘they’ as those of Muslim faith and ‘us’ as Americans.
Younis said there are 1.4 billion Muslims in the world and 22 countries in the Arab League. He asked to audience to name five of the 22 – the first answer that came back was Iran, which he clarified is not an Arabic country.
After 9/11, Younis said as senior analyst with the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, he helped poll Muslims from all over the world on whether they thought the attacks were justified. He wrote the numbers 93 and 7 on the board, and asked which was yes and which was no.
Younis said 93 percent of the polled Muslims did not feel 9/11 was justified, and most respondents gave religion as the reason for feeling so. Most of the remaining 7 percent who chose yes did so because of politics, he said.
“So why do they hate us?” Younis asked rhetorically. “They don’t. So, what is the issue?”
Younis continued by pointing out the main reasons some Muslims disagree with Americans.
Some Muslims may believe the U.S. tries to exercise political domination over other areas of the world, he said.
Political domination is “the perception that we as individuals think we are dominant,” resulting in oppression of other cultures, he said.
Another cause for conflict is cultural disrespect, which Younis said is the disrespect of “the set of rights that are inalienable to us.”
For example, Americans often disagree with Islamic cultures about the role women should play in society, Younis said.
Finally, he said, many Muslims believe America promotes conflict.
“There is a perception that the United States is a catalyst for war and instability,” Younis said.
One of the problems America has, Younis said, can be thought of as a “branding” problem, when Americans promote false stereotypes. This problem isn’t purely American, he said, but it can cause conflict within and across cultures.
“If you seriously think you’re mainstreamed,” Younis said, specifically to Mormon students, “Mormons have big brand problems. It becomes problematic when young people start to believe it,” he said.
Younis said many Muslims do not believe violent reactions are justified even in the face of offensive actions, such as the burning of the Quran.
He explained that burning of the Quran is merely, “burning a copy of the Quran.”
“The Quran is in our hearts. Unless you are burning my heart, you are not burning the Quran,” he said.
“Islam calls for every person’s religious freedom. The faith does not allow the oppression of non-Muslims,” he said.
To close his lecture, Younis said, “I respect you, and I love you.”
To help alleviate conflict, he said audience members should not think of their differences but should instead see themselves as leaders.
Younis is one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world, according to The Royal Islamic Strategic Centre. He has worked with Ambassador Dennis Ross and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Through these experiences, he has developed a long-term strategy to improve U.S. relations with the Muslim world, according to his bio for the event.
Attendee Carlie Morrison, a senior majoring in marketing and economics, said she thought Younis’ speech was refreshing.
“He did amazing at taking a very tense issue and making it less so,” she said. “I liked (Younis’) perspective. Islam is such an ancient religion. I liked that he bridged the gap between the culture and the religion.”
Morrison said Younis’ speech helped her understand the degree to which religion can play a role in culture.
“The religion is not that big of a deal. One thing I realized is they are not that different,” Morrison said. “I wish I could share my experience more. They wear different clothing, speak a different language and have a different religion, but they value the same thing. “
– natashabodily@gmail.com