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Stereotype Essay
19 Dec. 2018
Some of the most discriminating and real stereotypes in today’s society are placed on
Muslims and Arabs. Muslims and Arabs are easily stereotyped due to their fixed and
oversimplified image that is widely held by many people. The stereotypes placed on Muslims
and Arabs are due to many factors from the past, as well as current issues in the world today.
Common misconceptions about Muslims and Arabs, the film industry, Islamophobia (due to the
media), and political influence, are all factors that contribute to the stereotypes placed on
There are many common misconceptions held about Muslims. One common
misapprehension is that Muslims support violence and terrorism; while on the contrary, it is the
Muslim people who suffer from terrorism and violence. According to “Common Misconceptions
about Muslims”, about ninety-three percent of Muslims do not support extremist views of
terrorism. Another common misunderstanding about Muslims is that they are engaged in Jihad
or war against people with different beliefs. The meaning of the Arabic Word Jihad is not war,
but struggle, and usually refers to the struggle of one’s soul against the self and sinful desires.
The misconception of this word can lead to the stereotyping of the Muslim people. It is
commonly assumed the Muslims place little value on women, family, and children, but the
Muslim community worldwide places a high value on family life. Both people of older
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generations and children are included in all areas of life. Many of these misinterpretations lead
The film industry also contributes to the negative stereotyping of Muslims and Arabs.
One example is Aladdin, in which princess Jasmin dresses in clothes that are overly sexualized,
which depicts Arab men’s lust (Kashem). This portrayal of Jasmin, in the movie, presents her as
a sexual product, which does not give Jasmin the princess like qualities that other Disney
princesses possess, such as chastity and nobility. Of course, the film industry also depicts
Muslims and Arabs as terrorists in films and shows. While terrorism is a real world problem and
should not be taken lightly, using Muslims and Arabs to represent terrorists in films is purely
stereotypical, considering a very small percentage of Muslims and Arabs are involved in
terrorist activities or extremist groups (Obeidallah). The film industry’s interpretation and
The rise of Islamophobia, the dislike or prejudice against Islam and Muslims, has played
a significant role in the stereotyping of Muslims and Arabs (Brooklier). The media contributes to
the spread of Islamophobia by spreading fear. Muslims and Arabs are “hypervisible”, meaning,
it is easy to accuse an entire group of people of a crime, such as terrorism, rather than finding
the actual perpetrator (Stiffler). The media can portray Muslims and Arabs as violent by using
images and inaccurate depictions of the Islamic people (Brooklier). The media is using dishonest
tactics that are planned to create fear and reinforce the negative stereotypes that are inflicted
Political leaders are also pushing these negative stereotypes by creating obstacles for
Muslims currently in the country and around the world. These political views only help to
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increase the negative labels and stereotypes that are placed on Muslims and Arabs (Brooklier).
For example, the ban on Muslims is supposed to help increase domestic security and prevent
terrorists from entering the United States, however, it is morally wrong and discriminating to
prevent a certain group from entering the United States. This discrimination leads to the
In the world today, stereotypes are placed on groups, such as Muslims and Arabs, which
are discriminating and misleading. Muslims and Arabs are often stereotyped in today’s society.
Many details about their lives are mistaken and misconstrued: the film industry depicts them as
lustful and oversexualized, the media describes them as violent terrorists to create fear, and
Works Cited
Brooklier, Nicolas. “Islamophobia: The Stereotyping and Prejudice towards Muslims since
9/11.” Law and Justice in Real Time News, Washington State University. 17 Dec. 2015.
hub.wsu.edu/law-justice-realtime/2015/12/17/islamophobia-the-stereotyping-and-
prejudice-towards-muslims-since-911/.
encounteringislam.org/misconceptions.
Kashem, Nurunnahar. “Muslim and Arab Stereotypes.” Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover, 2017.
macaulay.cuny.edu/eportfolios/nkashem1english2150h/arab-and-muslim-stereotypes/.
Obeidallah, Dean. “Are All Terrorists Muslims? It's Not Even Close.” The Daily Beast, The Daily
not-even-close.
Stiffler, Matthew J. “Arabs, Muslims, and the Legacy of Media Stereotypes.” Reclaiming
Identity: Dismantling Arab Stereotypes, Arab American National Museum. 31 July 2011,
www.arabstereotypes.org/blog/201307/31-419.
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