Recently I was viewing the MuslimMatters.org website, and on it there is an article about a new group entitled MuslimResponse.com. Here is part of the interview with their VP of Media Relations, Asmaa Hussein.
Haytham: Can you summarize what MuslimResponse.com is all about?
Asmaa: Muslim Response is a non-profit and non-political information dissemination project. Its vision is to fill the void in the media where mainstream Muslim thoughts should be; by presenting responses around hot-topic event headlines, with a focus on issues concerning Islam and Muslims, Muslim Response is geared to go viral! The team will be releasing well-researched, balanced and high quality professional responses through the website and various social media outlets.
Haytham: So what prompted your team to start this project?
Asmaa: As Muslims who have been raised in the West, we know that it can be very hurtful and demoralizing to continuously read and watch journalists and members of the public misunderstand and misrepresent Islam and Muslims. We cringe when we hear people disrespecting our beloved prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his teachings, or wilfully take verses from the Qur’an out of context. Although many of us have been born and raised in the West, we may still feel at odds with the media’s lack of truthful and adequate representation of our communities. Unfortunately, the media spotlight is often projected onto fringe groups that do not represent the majority of Muslim thought.