The Islamic Circle of North America New Jersey chapter, an organization for Muslim Americans, has put up two billboards on the NJ Turnpike to advertise Why Islam?, a 24/7 hotline that people can call to ask questions about Islam to the religion's adherents. The initiative is part of a campaign to counter anti-Muslim stereotypes and misinformation in the media.This is the month of Ramadan. Most people understand the significance of Lent to Catholics and Yom Kippur to the Jewish community. But how many of us understand the connection between faith and fasting for Muslims during Ramadan?
The Islamic Circle of North America has come up with an inspired idea to educate people about the beliefs of 1.6 billion people around the world: Have a question about Islam? Call 877-Why-Islam to get facts, not hearsay.
"We invite them to ask us what our faith is about," said Asim Khan, president of the Islamic Circle of North American New Jersey chapter, which is sponsoring the 24/7 toll-free hotline and website, whyislam.org.
Education, not conversion, is the mission, Khan said. The organizations has put up 50 billboards across the country announcing the hotline; two are on the N.J. Turnpike.
The Muslim population in the United States is projected to grow from 2.6 million to more than 6.2 million by 2030, according to the Pew Research Center, mostly because of immigration and larger families. If those projections hold, the Muslim share in two decades would mirror the number of Jews or Episcopalians in the United States today. More of our neighbors will follow the teachings of Islam.
Ten years after the Sept. 11 attacks, many people still don’t get it. Both President George W. Bush and President Obama took a stand against blind prejudice in the years after that tragic day. But on the internet, rumors and lies have no expiration date. Hate thrives in its closed circuits. The gunman who went on a rampage in Norway last month quoted anti-Muslim bloggers in the United States in his manifesto.
Not everyone who reads hateful screeds on the internet goes on a rampage with a weapon, of course. But in an age when misinformation and outright lies go viral in seconds, the Islamic Circle’s outreach is vital.
