How Did Islam Become the Target of Global Propaganda?

 

How Did Islam Become the Target of Global Propaganda?

Propaganda megaphone targets mosque and families with distorted headlines, hidden figures control message, dark atmosphere.


Introduction

Personally, every time I read international news, I wonder why Islam almost always appears in the context of conflict, extremism, or terrorism. It’s as if this religion has no other face but violence. Yet, if we honestly look at history, Islam was once a civilization of tolerance, science, and cosmopolitan culture. (Edward Said, Covering Islam, 1981)

My question is simple: why is this grand narrative kept negative? Is it just coincidence or part of a larger propaganda machine?

Islam and the Media: An Unbalanced Narrative

Since 9/11, Islam’s image in Western media has largely been trapped in the frame of terrorism. For me, this is a peak example of how modern propaganda works: shaping public perception through constant repetition. (Said, Covering Islam, 1981)

Take the word ‘jihad’ it’s often narrowly translated as ‘holy war’. But many Muslims know it means much more, including moral and spiritual struggle. Yet the dominant narrative on screen makes this word a terrifying label. (Esposito, Islam and Politics, 2011)

Who Benefits?

In my analysis, the negative narrative about Islam isn’t just sloppy media framing there’s political interest behind it. By portraying Islam as a ‘threat’, Western countries justify foreign policies in the Middle East. (Chomsky, Media Control, 2002)

The Iraq and Afghanistan invasions, drone wars in Yemen these were often wrapped in the rhetoric of the “War on Terror”. In other words, public perception had to be shaped first to maintain domestic support. (Huntington, The Clash of Civilizations, 1996)

Internal Narratives Misused

Sadly, this propaganda sometimes gets fuel from the actions of a few Muslims themselves. Extremist groups that interpret Islam narrowly often feed Western propaganda. (Roy, Globalized Islam, 2004)

We can’t deny that terror attacks by extremists become ‘double-edged swords’ that damage Islam’s image as a whole. This is where I feel Muslims must self-reflect, not just blame outsiders. (Ramadan, Radical Reform, 2009)

Hollywood and Pop Culture

I’ve noticed how Hollywood depicts Muslims. From True Lies (1994) to American Sniper (2014), Muslims are often shown as terrorists, deserts, AK-47s, and ‘Allahu Akbar’ shouts. (Shaheen, Reel Bad Arabs, 2001)

This propaganda is no joke pop culture shapes public opinion subtly. Western youths who never meet real Muslims grow up with a negative image formed only through screens. (Said, Orientalism, 1978)

What About the Muslim World?

My question also turns inward: why is the Muslim world weak in countering this propaganda? One reason, in my view, is the lack of strong alternative media. Few Muslim countries have global media networks. Al-Jazeera is an exception most can’t compete. (Esposito, The Future of Islam, 2010)

If Muslims got serious, they could build their own narrative through digital media, documentaries, cultural diplomacy. But these efforts often get stuck in internal politics, censorship, and sectarian rifts. (Roy, The Failure of Political Islam, 1994)

The Role of Education

I think the root of this weakness is education. Many Muslims don’t grasp the importance of media literacy. As a result, they are easily provoked and fail to build rational counter-narratives. (Ramadan, Radical Reform, 2009)

If we want to escape this propaganda cycle, Muslims must realize: media literacy is as vital as religious literacy. We must know how to tell news from framing, fact from manipulation.

Is Islam Really a Threat?

If you ask me: Islam has never been a global threat. The real issue is when Islam is mixed with power politics. Historically, Islam brought legal and moral stability to many regions, from Andalusia to Samarkand. (Lewis, What Went Wrong?, 2002)

But in the modern era, propaganda grows because Islam still has political mobilization potential. This makes some Western countries nervous not about Islam’s teachings, but its potential if politically organized. (Huntington, The Clash of Civilizations, 1996)

My Hope

As a Muslim, I hope we don’t get stuck in victimhood. I believe propaganda is defeated through education, free thinking, and building alternative narratives. We don’t need to respond to hate with hate but with knowledge and creativity. (Esposito, Islam and Democracy, 1996)

If Muslims keep ranting angrily, global propaganda will thrive. But if we build intellectual networks, independent media, and culture, Islam’s image can slowly heal.

Conclusion

To me, propaganda against Islam is a reality that must be faced calmly. Protesting alone isn’t enough we need real work: literacy, media, and dialogue culture.

If global propaganda seeks to weaken us, Muslims must stand tall with rational, inclusive narratives. This is our modern jihad: to write, teach, dialogue not just shout.

Lokasi: GWG8+4M Blodgett Mills, NY, Amerika Serikat

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