Media Portrayals of Religion: Islam.

 Media Portrayals of Religion: Islam.

Media Portrayals of Religion: Islam.(n.d.). Retrieved February 5, 2015, from http://mediasmarts.ca/diversity-media/religion/media-portrayals-religion-islam 

Media coverage and portrayal of followers of the Islamic religion has changed drastically in the past decade. This sudden change can more or less be traced back to the events that occurred on September 11, 2001. The American led "War on Terrorism" has led to an increased fear and hatred of Islam. It has created a stereotype of Muslims that is linked to violence.
These stereotypes have often been represented on present day media. An example includes the character of Sayid Jarrah on the popular TV show Lost. The character is known to have previously worked for the Iraqi Republican Guard and is often showed using various methods of torture to achieve any goal he has in mind.
Muslim females are often portrayed as being passive victims of male power or incredibly strong feminists. 
With such drastic changes in the portrayal of Muslim people in the past decade, the overall view of Muslims has also changed. It is important to not believe every stereotype and/or portrayal of specific groups.

"The most prevalent Islamic stereotype is the radical Muslim insurgent, bent on waging jihad, or holy war, against the West."


"This increase in Islamophobia was in turn reflected in the way media outlets addressed and stereotyped Muslim populations."

I have always noticed that Muslim people are portrayed in one specific type of way regardless of the type of media. The prominent stereotype has shaped the way people view this group. It is utterly offensive to automatically relate violence with a certain group and feel as though it is necessary to hate on every person that follows the Islamic religion. It is important to stay informed and understand that just because Muslims have been involved with specific acts in the past, does not mean that every follower of the religion will do follow in those footsteps.