The Approach of the Muslim 'Other' in the Western Media

• Author: Alina Chesca
• Position: Senior Lecturer, PhD, 'Danubius' University of Galati, Romania
• Pages: 299-303

Globalization and Cultural Diversity

299

The Approach of the Muslim “Other” in the Western Media

Alina Beatrice Chec

1

Abstract: The images of the other can be found everywhere in the Western civilization and undoubtedly, they

have become part of the discourse of colonization. It must be admitted that the encounters b etween the

Western world and the Islam have produced a portrayal of the Islamic religion and Muslim culture mostly in

negative, unfair and self-serving ways. Considering that the literature approaching these stereotypes is quite

comprehensive, this paper analyses why the Western world has always shown negative images of the Islam

and Muslims. The Western image- makers, such as the religious leaders, political institutions and mass-media

render the portraits of Muslims in both funny and cruel ways. All these images of the Other seem to have

served important goals throughout the h istory of Western civilization. Sometimes these goals are no t very

serious, while in other situations they can be terribly destructive. Unfortunately, for Muslims there are bad

consequences coming from the social and political background. However, we must all agree that, beyond

culture, religion, politics or race, beyond image, prejudices and stereotypes, there should be no boundaries

between human beings, our souls and minds, as we are all equal, valuable and important for the whole

mankind.

Keywords: media; Muslims; otherness; stereotypes, Western civilization

Motto: “Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving.

It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair.” (Rumi Mawlana)

Perhaps any study on Image and Imagology should start with the following suggestive and very

touching lines belonging to a mystic, philosopher and poet in the 13th century - Muhyi 'd-din Ibn

'Arabi: My heart has opened unto every form: it is a pasture for gazelles, a cloister for Christian

monks, a temple for idols, the Ka'ba of the pilgrim, the tables of the Torah and the book of Qur'an. I

practice the religion of Love; in whatsoever directions its caravans advance, the religion of Love shall

be my religion and my faith. (Muhyi 'd-din Ibn 'Arabi)

The idea of writing such a paper struck me several years ago when I was in Izmir for a conference and,

during a break, a Turkish professor from Ankara started telling us very amused that, some years

before, someone had been very surprised that he was Turkish, making the following remarks: How

      

have a moustache!! The Turkish professor exclaimed in astonishment, addressing us: Can you

imagine?? That person thought that Turks were still wearing the same clothing like 200 years ago!!

            Considering the

               

Muslim Other in the Western mass-media.

1 Senior Lecturer, PhD,   . Address: 3 Galati Blvd, Galati 800654, Romania, Tel.:

+40372 361 102. Corresponding author: alina.chesca@univ-danubius.ro.