August 14, 2008
Mosque Communicating: Connecting with Muslim Communities
Despite tireless efforts to break stereotypes about the religion of Islam and Muslim culture, misinformation and prejudice still abound in the US. Consequently (and understandably), some Muslims are wary of US mainstream media—and some news organizations may be similarly wary, too. That’s why right now it’s especially important for news organizations to foster constructive relationships with local Muslim communities…
Fortunately, many Muslims (especially community leaders) want to connect with news organizations. They welcome sincere interest and accurate reporting.
The Muslim community is large (over a sixth of the global population) and growing quickly. This faith comprises people of all ethnic groups, income brackets, and education levels. With widespread prejudice still common in the US, many Muslims are private about their faith. Therefore chances are that your local Muslim community is significantly larger than you might guess.
Your local mosque or Muslim community center is probably the best first point of contact. Most major US cities have mosques, and these tend to be very welcoming places to visit. Also, most larger colleges and universities have Muslim student centers or organizations.
NOTE: This post is part of a special series on how news orgs can connect with communities of difference through communities of faith. See the series intro for links to the rest of this series. |
Muslim Bridges is an especially useful resource. It lists more than 1500 mosques in all 50 states. The site also offers an interesting section on the fact and fiction of “Islamaphobia.” Islam’s themes of equality and community make this religion especially appealing to minority groups, so this site also includes information targeted toward African-American and Latino adherents and potential adherents.
Many mosques also publish online newsletters and have successful community outreach programs. Consider The Mosque Foundation, with its strong community content and flashy Web design. In addition to outreach, community and school program listings, it also offers a concise primer on Islam.
True, some Muslim organizations have specific political agendas. However, these tend to resemble the Minaret of Freedom Institute’s agenda than the Taliban’s. The Minaret’s stated mission concerns education, free trade, and socioeconomic improvement. They feature articles and references about terrorism and jihad, civil liberties, freedom and democracy, women’s issues in Islam, and more.
There’s also a rich world of Muslim media. Ask local Muslims which sources of news, information, and entertainment they prefer. Check out whatever is popular locally, and keep an eye out for stories, angles, or perspectives that you might have been missing so far.
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Tags: community, journalism, news, media, muslim, relationships, islam
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