Global Cultural Awareness Committee
Keith Saddler, Justin Oriente, Natasha Saleh, Christopher Johnson
Perceptions• Your perception of the Muslim religion or• America’s perception of the Muslim religion
Tony Auth, Philadelphia Inquirer
Background Info• Islam is one of the fastest growing religions
in the world. • 1 out of every 5 people follow Islamic Faith• Largest population of Muslims are of Indonesian Descent
• "Ash-shadu anna Laa elaha illa lah. Ash-shadu anna Muhammadar Rasoolulah."(I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger).
Common Misconceptions• Arabic ≠ Muslims• Arabic refers to being born in an Arab country, speaking Arabic• Does not pertain to your religious beliefs
• Muslims ≠ Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden, other Radical figures• Peaceful religion
Background Info (Cont’d)• Prophet Muhammad: refer to him as "the Messenger of
God and His slave". Muhammad was chosen to be God's final messenger --- to communicate the message not only in words but to be a living example of the message.
• Muslims love and respect him because he was of the highest moral character and he brought the Truth from God - which is the Pure Monotheism of Islam.
• "There is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty God, and Muhammad is the Messenger and Servant of God".
Innocence Of Muslims• Innocence Of Muslims
Reactions• The anti-Muslim video sparked outrage in eastern
Libya, where a mob stormed the U.S. Consulate and killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans on Sept. 11, 2012
Middle East Reactions• Egypt- Protests held in Cairo outside
of US embassy• Iran- Will boycot the 2013 Oscars
because of the film• Iraq- Burned American flags, wanted
American diplomats out of Iraq. Boycott of American goods• Israel- Protests in front of US
Embassy,
European Reactions• France- 100 arrested for protest outside
US embassy• Russia- Plans to block access to YouTube
if film is not removed• England- 200 people demonstration
outside US embassy, Terror organizations organized some protests• Turkey- Organized non violent protests
Other Notable Countries’ Reactions• Lebannon- Angry protestors burned
down a KFC restaurant• Canada- Protests in Toronto
Freedom Of Speech• Do you think that this media is a form of
freedom of speech• To what extent is it acceptable to voice
your perception/opinion?• We are the future, what consequences will
follow your actions?
How it relates to us• “President Barack Obama has stated that while the video
is reprehensible it is not possible to ban…” (Deadline Hollywood)• "Like me, the majority of Americans are Christian, and yet we do not
ban blasphemy against our most sacred beliefs,”- Barack Obama• Hafiz Saeed, one of Pakistan’s most feared Islamists. He has been
accused by India in the masterminding of the 2008 attacks on the financial capital in Mumbai.• “Obama’s statements have caused a religious war,” (Saeed)• “This is a very sensitive issue . This is not going to be resolved
soon. Obama’s statement has started a cultural war.” (Saeed)• The United States as well as the Indian Government want
Saeed to be detained due to his previous involvement in such terroristic plots.
Continued• Bounties of $10 Million dollars have been placed
for information leading to the capture of Saeed.• Saeed held a press conference at a hotel 40 minutes from
the US Embassy in Islamabad, where he called the bounty “laughable”
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