muslims are fighting against their brother and sisters in iraq, iran, pakistan. they are divided in ;themselves in shias and sunnies. the molvies need to think again over their religion pattern. the word they are using "jidah" and blaming whole world even is not written in QURAN.

Hala,

I just hope that all these interests in the oil wells of the Araib nations will one day be discouraged. For crying out loud we have over 100 different religions in the world, we keep paying attention to this folks that look for attention by all means, including murder,even suicide.

Ignorance, and bad choices. Policies that left the both sides suspicuios of each other.

Don’t believe the negative propaganda of the media, who is selling that impression, which is being fueled by certain extremist groups bent upon bigotry, racism, and Muslim exploitation. History has shown this repeatedly – from Bosnia to Afghanistan to Iraq to Pakistan and God knows who is next. Put your money that Iran is in their sites… and for what? Is it the War on terror? Come on. Or is it The War to create terror? Wake up. Better take a hard look at those who are pointing their fingers. They are the ones trying to scare everyone into signing away their civil rights. Can you say Patriot Act? Unrestricted Wire tapping? I am a patriotic American and I love the United States of America with all my heart and soul. May God Bless and Guide America. Think about it…

These are certain things that make non-Muslims get an unfavorable opinion of Muslims.
1) People with affiliation to extremism seem to have religious approval in case of Muslims. There is a strong suspicion among others that a majority of Muslim population might be favorably inclined towards extremist ideas.
2) Christians and Hindus can critically analyze their own religious scriptures and they can express dissent on religious issues without any adverse consequence. But Muslims say that the word of Quran should never be questioned and demand unquestioning acceptance of their religious scripture. It appears to others that they are very dogmatic.
3) Their religious scholars do not appear to respect women.
4) While they complain that others do not treat them fairly, see how Arab Muslims treat poor people from South Asia who work in the middle east. The religious scholars who pass fatwas against western ideas, tolerate this behavior with gentle admonition.

I think that president Obama is a wise man with a good will.I am sure GOD will help him to establish peace and friendship between all nations in this world.We TAOUSSE family in Morocco and USA do believe that Mr Obama will be the best president USA probably has never had.

It's all politics and the way americans thinks of the rest of the world not only Muslims, add to that is the plot of the Sept 11 and there after, the issue in the middle east has been boilliing for years since the british left the region, and the pollirization during the cold war era, every single politican came to power in the US has and agenda that fueld the already flaming situation.

1. USA never had a good view of Islam.
2. Very slanted Media coverage.
3. Many Churches preach hatred of Islam as they did before against Indians, blacks, Jews and Catholics.
4. Many Zionist groups in the USA encourage such hatred. Distributing the Obsession movie is an example.

Muslims blame USA, other western nations, jews, press and several other things except themselves for the unfavorable world. Other people will love Islam if they think Islam and Muslims love them. Terrorism, dogmatism, lack of respect for human rights, "Us"- "they" mentality are the reasons why others look suspiciously at Muslims.

But the doors are open. Things can be set right.

We appreciate Mr. Presdint's approach for peace and brotherhood. All Muslim should support him and this is the only solution for humanity and peace on the earth. NOT ALL muslims are terrorists. This approach should have been taken before the disasters of 9/11 and lost of thousands lives in Iraq & Afghanistan, but we can now help Pakistan and Palestine from such disasters.

To reiterate: No religous group can claim to be 'Holier than Thou' – they all have extremist pockets. So any propaganda slandering another religon or people are themselves guilty of being extremist in one form or another and that does not exclude the media promoting it.

I don't like violence or all the need and attention to all the oil wells. We need to move forward.

I have gone to church every Sunday all my life mostly. Never heard the word Muslim till I started watching the world news the past few years, since 9/11. Had to figure out what it was referring to besides people somewhere in the Middle East. No one I know teaches hate for anyone in the U.S. There are gay bashers, which is wrong. People should just exist. Don't know that I believe in gay marriages, that term is taken, but people are people, regardless of what they are belief wise.

Sam in my neck of the country, never heard the word Islam till lately. I'm forming my opinion just now like many in this country.

Biased public opinion is dominated by the bought- off news media and propaganda from special interest groups and their agendas. So, those negative opinions may be tainted and unreal – just mindless sheep following the herd !

The Muslim world want to invade and convert people of other religion to increase in population size and rule the world. Their ego lies in the petroleum reserve that make the world dependent on the middle east.

It's all because of the media. Most of the times it makes me laugh how different they show us Muslims & Arabs. In most Hollywood movies we live in tents and old houses that most people don't live anymore...
I'm from the gulf and trust me non of the people in my country live in a tent, excluding when camping. I'm a true Muslim also who takes her religion seriously, and I can honestly say I'm very ashamed sometimes by how some sorry excuse of Muslims behave and make us look bad. I'm very offended by how some Americans look at us like we're less human than them and monsters.

G.Leigh: In Christianity being Gay is not accaptaple too in cause you haven't heard, real Christians are supposed to know that... Also many people in your country who are against Gays. I, for one don't care if persons Gay or not, in fact have a few gay friends. Don't misunderstand me though, I don't think being Gay is right, but to all their religion and opinion.

lorez: I would be very happy if more people joined my religion, but Islam is never forced, in the Holy Quran this is said and our Prophet never attacked non Muslims unless attacked first.

Lorez – It's not true. Somehow the propaganda machine against the Muslims is very loud and effective, which you seem to be listening to. Simply stated, it is not true that Muslims are interested in invading the world- so don't believe in it. You ought to know by now that our own agenda-driven media uses fear to shape the minds of its citizens. Any Anti-Muslim defamation rhetoric is pure BS. Muslims are multi ethnic and from many different backgrounds and cultures. They are your brothers and sisters who believe in the same one and only God you do and they have a lot in common with Christians, as they must believe in Jesus Christ, and all of the Biblical Prophets. They are people you can do business with, and are people who do not discriminate. Granted, there are good and bad in every race and religion, so I am not implying that they are all angels. Furthermore, these people are not the Boogiemen that some of our extremist media have made them out to be. It is such a lie and travesty that good American's have their heads turned through fear and media driven lies. We all should learn to love more, and discriminate less. For love is much more powerful than hate.