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Abby Reitz

Stereotype Essay

College Prep Writing

19 Dec. 2018

Muslim and Arab Stereotypes

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

Muslims and Arabs.

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

to the stereotyping of Muslim people (“Common Misconceptions”).

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

portrayal of Muslims and Arabs is purely stereotypical.

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

upon the people of Islam.

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

stereotyping of the Muslim and Arab people.

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

political leaders place boundaries on them to promote domestic security.


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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/.

“Common Misconceptions about Muslims.” Encountering the World of Islam, 2016.

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

Beast Company. 14 Jan. 2015, www.thedailybeast.com/are-all-terrorists-muslims-its-

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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