Conclusion
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Qur’an is a largely misinterpreted religious text as is the practice of the religion itself. The key to
driving change is the pursuit of knowledge. No person is born with prejudice; with an open mind and a
glimpse of reality and truth, prejudice and stereotypes can be broken down and reconstructed. The Western world often pursues an ill-informed attempt to speak up for Muslim women. The difference is made
when we listen to their stories rather than tune out their voices through labels of oppression 2.
Orientalism is a dominant framework within the Western world, whether we realize it or not. Edward Said
initially proposed the theoretical framework of Orientalism. Often seen through media and biased assumptions within today’s society, the Western world tends to assume knowledge prior to gathering factual
evidence, leading to radical and uninformed notions and stereotypes of other cultures. The West is guilty
of ignorance towards Islamic countries, history, and values promoted through Islam 3.
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