Focus Group: Social-Religious Issues

1. Focus Group:Social-Religious Issues

2. Islamic Fundamentalism Why Must We Fight? What Is This Fight About?

3. JihadAn Inner Struggle or Worldwide War? While a woman meditates and tries to find her inner self, the Taliban take action into their own hands, being oppressive and cruel. • An Islamic term; Arabic for “battle; struggle; holy war for religion”. • Two kinds of interpretation: greater is the belief that it is a spiritual struggle within oneself. (f.x. a druggie fighting addiction) • The lesser interpretation is simplified as meaning a holy war against infidels and infidel countries.

4. Islamism and IslamistsReligion, Government, or Both? • Islamism is a group of ideologies in Islam that want to use the Sharia law vs. foreign cultures. • Islamists feel that the Western impurity is invading the world. • Islamism has proved that it can work as a political alternative. Countries such as Iran, Sudan, Pakistan, and Libya adapted it. President Clinton, representing Western government, the Koran symbolizing Sharia law, and Khomeini symbolizing the Koran as being the government law.

5. Islamic Resurgence“We want to modernize, not Westernize…” • A broad intellectual, cultural, political, social movement throughout the Islamic world. • A revival of Islamic ideas that has affected Muslims in every country. • The Muslims in this movement have created special services to gain followers. Islam around the world? Not such a farfetched idea anymore!

6. The bomb keeps ticking… one of blood, hatred, and terror. Important Fundamentalist Leaders and Organizations • Ayatollah Khomeini • Taliban • Usama Bin Laden • Muslim Brotherhood • HAMAS • Islamic Jihad

7. Faces of the Terrorists Yassin, left, thefounder of HAMAS. Hassana El-Banna, founder of Muslim Brotherhood. Members of the Taliban, the oppressive regime in Afghanistan , below. Ayatollah Khomeini, below, leader of Islamic Revolution. ? Usama Bin Ladin, behind the bombing of U.S. foreign embassies. The face of Islamic Jihad…wishing to stay anonymous?

8. We must make a difference. World peace is at stake. What we can do? Educate the masses: we are not against Islam. Use our powers. Try to negotiate peace. There is not much we can do to stop these fundamentalists from lashing out. We must have patience, and the will to struggle, to fight, for peace on earth. What The Future Holds...Is There Hope for Tomorrow?

9. Arabs in Israel The Continuing Struggle…

10. Arab-Israeli WarsHow long will this go on? • Arabs and Jews in Israel are always having wars over land each claim as their “holy land.” • Until the early 1990’s, Israel was in conflict with its Arab neighbors, including 5 wars from 1948 to 1982. • Some Jews live in Arab countries. • Many Arabs live in Israel. Fist fights are common in Israel, even in the streets.

11. Israeli Arabs & Israeli JewsSo different, yet similar, somehow... • Arabs are a minority in Israel. They make up only 18% of the population. • Arabs are full citizens of the Jewish state and also have the right to vote, and must obey laws. VS.

12. The Peace ProcessIs there hope for the future? • The United Nations has been trying to bring peace to Israel for many years. They have had many ups and downs in their struggle. • Peace is something that will take a long time, with Israeli Arabs, and Israeli Jews. Barak, Clinton, and Assad… making peace in the Middle East.

13. Terrorism In IsraelWill It ever stop? • Israeli Arabs and terrorism. • HAMAS and terrorism. • Many Israelis blamed the recent increase and growth of terrorism and fundamental Islam among Israeli Arabs for the attacks and suggested restrictions of Islamic activity. • Many Arabs see discrimination as feeding fundamentalism inside Israel. Tick tock… how long until the next bomb will go off?

14. Women In Islam Is equality always equal? Are beliefs always believed?

15. Conservative View“Women are for the home…” • The Western feminist cause is viewed with distrust. Alien philosophy, corruption. • Abuse of women in Taliban areas. • Belief on Hijab and how it helps society - it’s better to be safe (in terms of rape, sexual abuse, danger) than sorry. • Laws, customs, and women important as wife and/or mother. Men have similar restrictions. A Muslim woman wearing Hijab.

16. Modern ViewWomen are equal to men... • The views on how women should act, behave, and be treated in a moderate manner. Egypt, Morocco. • How to understand the moderate view, and comparisons to make things clear. • Don’t practice Hijab because not necessary and has no worthwhile purpose. It should be the woman’s choice. • Interpretations of the Koran. Do not interpret it harshly. Deborah Whitley - a Muslim who thinks Hijab is unnecessary.

17. How Women Look At Things in theWestern World • There should be equality between sexes. • History of feminism. • Small families and more equal roles is the Western way. • View of Hajib and covering up. There’s an ideology: If you have it, you should flash it. • A woman makes her own individual decisions. This lady had the freedom to write an article -- and have it published.

18. How Women Look At Things in theIslamic World • Household, children, husband are first priority, aside from Alla, and now marriage within Islamic society. • View on feminist cause. Veil as liberating. Spiritual values rather than bodily lust. • Men and women are equal and have different roles and rules. • Accomplishments and history. Laws, college attendance. Different path for Islamic women- Iran and Taliban or Egypt, Morocco, etc. A Muslim girl is forced to wear hijab and cover up. She may not have a future where she can be successful on her own. Women covered from head to toe in chadors.

19. Muslims in the West Coming to a new country to escape, or to start anew?

20. ImmigrationThe Statue of Liberty held her torch high... • Most Muslims in the West are emigrants. • Most immigrants are from South Asia, Middle East, South East, Asia, and Africa. • Emigrate for economic reasons, to unite families, because of war or political turmoil. • They are not here to change society; afraid society will change them. The Statue of Liberty greets immigrants to America.

21. Religious ToleranceFreedom for all religions? • West fears Islamic fundamentalism, military radicalims, terrorism. • Accuse Muslims for causing acts of terrorism. • Much misunderstanding and ingnorance about nature and religion of Islam. • Muslims feel Westerners don’t let them practice religion. Freedom…peace?

22. AssimilationCan we fit in the way we are? • Some Muslims feel they need to assimilate to fit in. • Many Muslims have fallen into “traps” of Western society: T.V., fast food, technology, etc. • About 6 million Muslims live in the U.S. today, many of which participate in American life. • Many Muslims do not want to assimilate into American society. Muslim girl or valley girl?

23. Similarities Between Islam World and the West Not that far away... • Islam World and West have much to learn from one another. • Islam reiterates basic American values in many ways. • When citizens, many Muslims vote for president. • Key similarities: respect for knowledge, justice, compassion toward poor, importance of family, respect for parents.

24. Thank You!!! We appreciate your patience and hope you enjoyed all of our speeches. Next up…a fun game for you to play!!! We hope you’ve learned all about: • Islamic Fundamentalism • Arabs in Israel • Women in Islam • Muslims in the West

25. STOP!!!!!!!!! Finally, it’s the END!!!!