Introduction:
- two different experiences of the media
- 'Renaissance: why women and Christians are embracing Islam', The Sydney Morning Herald, Peter Fray, May 1995
- Comment:
- Sydney Morning Herald journalist Peter Fray on producing a balanced article
- Maha Abdo, President of the Australia Muslim Women's Association, on visual cliches and stereotypes
- Other:
Please note that none of the reports in the case studies have been the subject of complaints or queries under the Racial Hatred Act.
When asked to comment on her experience with the media, Maha Abdo, President of the Australian Muslim Women's Association, cites two very different experiences: one with a metropolitan broadsheet and the other, live interviews on morning television.
Maha cites, as a positive experience, the interview for a Sydney Morning Herald series (May 1995) Beyond Fundamentalism - Islam in Australia by then Religious Affairs writer Peter Fray. His article, Renaissance: Why Women and Christians are Embracing Islam, outlines some of the problems experienced by communities with a culture and religion which is different from that of mainstream Australia. These problems are exacerbated when cultural differences are clearly manifested in appearances, as is the case for some Muslim Australians.
Fray's article breaks down the stereotypes that associate Islam with fundamentalism, terrorism and war. He acknowledges that Muslims have been misrepresented by the media through the misuse of terminology and visual images and the perpetuation of clichés.
In the Herald's report, Maha Abdo had drawn upon her own personal experiences to explain some cultural traits of Muslims that are often misunderstood and misrepresented.
The Muslim Women's Association has about 3000 members nationally and represents the interests of many more. Its aim is to correct what it says are widely held misconceptions about Muslim women in this country.
It does this through an extensive program of community development, cross cultural training and education initiatives through schools, hospitals and other institutions.
While she says that the Herald series on Islam reflects a depth of understanding and sensitivity, Maha Abdo cites other reportage which inflames prejudice and contributes to misinformation in the wider community.
Maha says that during the Gulf War, the media's persistent use of images of Muslim women to accompany editorials on the crisis played a major part in an increase in violence and vilification of Australian Muslim women. Her comments highlight visual clichés and stereotyping.
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