'ASK A MUSLIM' Takes Down Islam Stereotypes!

How one couple helped bridge one of society's divides — with understanding, compassion, and doughnuts.

Mona and her husband were scared to leave the house after the San Bernardino attacks, and they decided to take back the narrative and invite strangers to “Ask a Muslim.” They started it as an effort to ease anti-Muslim sentiment at a local level through opening up a dialogue between themselves and their neighborhood. News headlines and rhetoric did not represent them accurately. They wanted people to feel comfortable talking to them not just about Islam, but about anything!

"Another Person’s Shoes" is a new series from Upworthy that gives viewers the unique perspective of experiencing what an underserved person of a different gender, culture, society, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and/or other walk of life encounters daily. Each episode provides viewers empathy and understanding of the challenges these people face in daily situations most others may take for granted.

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[wildoatling]

Religion isn't exclusive to certain races. There are black christians, Mexican atheists, white muslims, and middle eastern buddhists. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs.

[Oberon]

I'd describe myself as a decently intelligent and empathetic human being, but the stigma behind the Islamic religion is quite terrifying to me; Of course, not everything the media is true, and people (religious or not) have always done terrible things to each other. But I think the problem with Islam is that most people know so little about it; Information is power, so doing something like this may help ease people's minds when it comes to talking to/relating with Muslim people.

[SimplyKinz]

I love this so much, they both seem like such sweet people! :) Xx

[Anoldaccount]

Her laugh is contagious, what a sweet woman Masha Allah, I love this 🥺

[rogermetzger]

Assuming the couple in the video are available to answer questions: Is there anything in the Qur'an that indicates the biblical account of creation has been "corrupted"? If not, is the day the creator blessed and sanctified (Genesis 2:3) any less holy now than it was then? (See also Exodus 2:11.)

[toddbeamer]

I would have asked why their prophet thought so little of women, and whether you agree with what he said about them:
"Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Muslims (to offer the prayer) of Eid al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle ?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion."
Narrated Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, in Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 06, Number 301

[toddbeamer]

This video was done in 2016, when few knew the doctrines and texts of this cult. Now in 2021 they wouldn't stand a chance trying to lie about their filthy book or disgusting founder. Most now know that it is permitted for cult members to lie in order to progress the cult among koo fahr. Without lies, is lam dies.

[annmorrow]

This is just such a cool thing to do - I hope a lot of people benefitted from this sharing.<3

[phoenixmoon]

I find people that I've been blessed to encounter, who call themselves Muslim or 'Followers of Islam'* to be more tolerant and seem kinder to me than those who call themselves 'Christian' (or specific groups/church-types/branches of that main descriptor). I have learnt how to tie a headscarf in the way that those who call themselves Muslim do, and when I managed it and just had that 'I did it' moment, I just felt cleaner (than thoroughly showering and then going swimming in an overchlorinated pool!) and more than just on my skin. I felt like my muscles and even bones were clean. It was a strange feeling because I did the headscarf in the same way someone would wear a hat, no conscious thought of what it meant, or about spirituality etc. I had an **after thought** that, as I know how to cover my head thoroughly I could perhaps attend a temple to look at the artwork in there (school trips and the documentaries showed the inside of temples and they looked so beautifully decorated, I'd like to look at them -like it was an art gallery, and also to soak up the energies within it).


(*)I feel they simplify the 'Followers of Islam' for me (after all, there are many many things that contribute to 'Islam', and it includes but isn't focused on the 'Important Person/Figure') -and thankyou for doing so! Before watching documentaries on the actual religion/way of life of those who follow it from 'extremely devoted' to just 'feeling a faith with their heart', following the journey of those who are 'wanting to convert' and those who have 'lived it for generations', and comparing how the lives are of Muslims from the UK/USA, random places, and around Mecca. I was so stupid and ignorant about that spiritual path. I still am to a certain extent, but please know I am trying to learn and understand it more!

[zenoist]

Why do you pray to a black stone in mecca that was once part of a toilet?

[joshuamartinpryce]

Its like Christianity, there are some Christians out there that only believe God is love, they forget He is rational, demanding and just and that He judges and supports or condemns. Its nice to be nice, but honestly we cannot read some of the text and agree but then disagree with the rest of the text. Fortunately the bible shows Gods love for His people and His kindness and concern for people outside the Christian and Jewish faith. Christians do not need to isolate verses to make the text say something better. A whole chapter in the bible speaks for itself.

[keylifeproductions]

Is the Bukhari a reliable source of information

[Alexisisnt]

This gave me chills, I love it <3 more people need to be understanding of differences without judgement or fear. We need more compassion.

[gavriloprincip]

if a trans woman go to the segregated womans section of a mosque If she is kicked out which party is being offensive and "phobic"?the trans woman who is insulting Islam but has a legal right or Islam for being Transphobic and has the legal right ?

[NEGUS_f]

I loved this idea 👏👏
And l wanna do
Inshallah 😍😍👏

[ayaanmirza]

Inshallah when I go to england I'm gonna repeat this

[johnpaulquian]

IF THE QURAN IS THE LAST BOOK ACCORDING TO ALLAH, 1)THEN WHO SENT THE HADITH & TO WHOM IT WAS SENT? 2) WHAT DID PROP.MUHAMMAD TAUGH OR PREACH DURING HIS LIFETIME IS IT THE QURAN OR THE HADITH? 3) IF A MUSLIM DONT BELIEVED ANY HADITH IS HE/ SHE IS CONSIDERED A NON MUSLIM? 4) IS THE HADITH INCLUDED AMONG THE 5 PILLARS OF ISLAM?5) IS THE HADITH INCLUDED AMONG THE 6 BELIEF OF ISLAM?? 6) WILL THE HADITH BE ASK IN THE GRAVE WHEN A MUSLIM DIES?? THANK YOU

[marsi]

Thank you…I am embarrassed to say I am a CHRISTIAN…listening to the RIGHT talk about what a CHRISTIAN is! is NOT the truth either. Jesus would NEVER turn HIS back on MUSLIMS, wait a minute…Did JESUS look Muslim???

[unknownperson]

Ok I'm asking you, is it Ok to kill people simply because they left islam?

[alwayseleen]

The best relief and the best cure and the best medicine for the depression and stress is the one that Allah gave Muhammad SAW and gave to the entire ummah (Muslims) so Allah gives him the cure and he said : س الحجر : فسبح بحمد ربك وكن من الساجدين واعبد ربك حتى ياتيك اليقين This is the cure, this is the medicine