Does Islam need PR? Public Relations for corporations can do wonders; it can make a company that uses child labour the most popular brand; it can make you forget how much calories are in the food you eat. Make a slip and it’ll cover your tracks. But, does a religion need PR? The author of Love in a Headscarf, Shelina Zahra Janmohamed, believes so. Something of this nature is happening in the UK; a campaign was launched with InspiredbyMuhammad.com which highlights the positive works of Muslims and the positive effects of the religion of Islam.
The campaign came in the wake of a YouGov poll administered in the UK by EIF which shows:
More than half the British population associate Islam with extremism (58%) and terrorism (50%)
Fewer than one in seven believe that it is a religion of peace (13%) and only one in 16 a religion of justice (6%).
Less than one in five Britons believe that Islam has a positive impact on British society (19%) with almost a third believing it is a violent religion (33%)
Two-thirds of people believe it encourages the repression of women (68%)
Only 16% of the British population believe that Islam promotes fairness and equality and just 6% believe it promotes active measures to protect the environment.
Most people get their information about Islam through the media such as newspapers (41%) and TV (57%) yet a third of people questioned they would be interested in finding out more about Islam (33%)
Sure campaigns and flashy messages can shed some light and open a few doors to those that are curious. And some great work is being done but, for how long and who will continue to do the PR job for a religion so big? Personally for a religion I believe following it sincerely is the best form of endorsement. Adhere to the principals of the Sunnah and Quran and watch those stereotypes quickly wash away.
Want help starting? SMILE it’s Sunnah.
The campaign came in the wake of a YouGov poll administered in the UK by EIF which shows:
More than half the British population associate Islam with extremism (58%) and terrorism (50%)
Fewer than one in seven believe that it is a religion of peace (13%) and only one in 16 a religion of justice (6%).
Less than one in five Britons believe that Islam has a positive impact on British society (19%) with almost a third believing it is a violent religion (33%)
Two-thirds of people believe it encourages the repression of women (68%)
Only 16% of the British population believe that Islam promotes fairness and equality and just 6% believe it promotes active measures to protect the environment.
Most people get their information about Islam through the media such as newspapers (41%) and TV (57%) yet a third of people questioned they would be interested in finding out more about Islam (33%)
Sure campaigns and flashy messages can shed some light and open a few doors to those that are curious. And some great work is being done but, for how long and who will continue to do the PR job for a religion so big? Personally for a religion I believe following it sincerely is the best form of endorsement. Adhere to the principals of the Sunnah and Quran and watch those stereotypes quickly wash away.
Want help starting? SMILE it’s Sunnah.
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