Connection of Terrorism and the Middle East

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You are the new Security guard at the International Airport. You made sure everything was in order and that people safely went to their designated flight. As you were walking around the airport, you notice a Middle-aged man carrying a large suitcase. The man seems nervous and is looking around as if he is lost. However, as you approach him, your intention of helping the man vanishes when you notice that the man is wearing a type of scarf around his head and a long white garment that distinguishes him as a Muslim. Instantly, flashes of the 9/11 attacks come rushing in your mind as you confronted the man about his nervousness. The man explained that his flight was arriving soon and that his friend is running a little late. You still wanted to pry the man more, but then the man’s friend came and they were on their way. Many people today in our society get the impression of a terrorist when meeting someone from the Middle East or a Muslim for the first time. Because the impact of the 9/11 attacks were caused by people from the Middle East, others immediately link terrorism with people from the Middle East. The culture of the Middle East, the U.S. involvement in the Middle East, and the Arab Israeli Conflict influenced the connection between terrorism and the Middle East.
Islam is a religion practiced by many Muslims around the world. For example, Muslims follow a set of laws under Islam, which is called the Shari’a. The Shari’a contains laws pertaining to politics, economics, banking, and so on (Del Priore, 27 Mar. 2013). Every Muslim must follow the laws of the Shari’a just like Americans follow the laws under the Constitution. The ways of the Shari’a might look extreme under foreign eyes that might cause tension toward Muslim...

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...s conflict not only created tension between Arabs and Jews, but also between Arabs and Americans. The Arab and Israel conflict created tension in the Middle East influencing both Islam and the involvement of the U.S.
Many people assumed that people from the Middle East are terrorists because of their values and culture. Muslims follow the Shari’a, which are set of laws that help promote the right way of life for Muslims. Many people from the Middle East do not like how the U.S. gets involved in their international affairs regarding oil. Western support for the Jews has also created tension for Arabs who have lost their privilege of land in Israel. However, Muslims are just ordinary people seeking the same needs as everyone else. If we take the time to understand Muslim values in the Middle East, then there would be less tension between the U.S. and the Middle East.

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