Scanning the media in the non-Islamic world, you may perceive the image of Islam as a religion living in the Dark Ages at war with itself and humanity. It is often portrayed as a brutal religion associated with extremism and terrorism. Acts like those of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and al-Qaedaknown for chopping non-Muslim and Muslim heads, conducting suicide bombings on civilians, and attacking and killing innocent people across the world are highlighted as examples. Muslims may call Islam a religion of peace; however, the media describe it as a religion of war and atrocities, a religion that spreads by the sword.
Reading the media, you would also think that Islam subjugates women, treats them as second-class citizens, ascribes them the status of a servant, forces them to wear hijab, mutilates their genitals, ascribes them little or no rights basically living in a chauvinistic man's world.
You would also think that Islam religious practices are out of date, meaningless, and arduous practices that are difficult to follow in our current socio-economic environment. Islamic sharia law is out of alignment with current society, representing practices of the seventh to the twelfth centuries and therefore has no place in today's world.
