Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
Supplementary Viewing Guide
Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think
Created by Tim Kennedy
Purpose: This is a viewing guide organized by major themes presented in
Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think, including foreign policy. This
guide is designed to supplement the instructor’s presentation of the film.
How to Use: This is meant to be a “supplementary discussion guide, not a
replacement of the primary discussion guide. It gives a more in-depth analysis of
each theme developed in the film. Twenty-seven major themes or findings from
the film are addressed in sequence as they occur in the 55-minute documentary,
Inside Islam.
Most of the questions should be discussed prior to viewing the film to provide
context. Some of the questions, particularly the ones dealing with the Gallup Poll
data, should be discussed afterwards.
Below each question, you’ll find summarized a number of the observations and
analyses provided by the film’s “experts/narration.” These can help answer the
questions.
1
Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
1. What was the goal/purpose of the Gallup Poll in the Muslim world?
Q – Discussion should begin with some background on the purpose of the
Gallup Poll project in the Muslim world and seek to understand why the
data was collected.
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Poll to understand what Muslims think about a host of critical issues
- Challenge conventional wisdom/media stereotypes
- Challenge the following assumptions:
o Muslims don’t share our democratic values
o They don’t value free speech, gender justice
2. Impact of September 11th (with respect to the Muslim world)
Q – How did the events of September 11th impact our view of the Arab
world, particularly the Middle East?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Event opened our eyes to the Muslim world
- Drove a wedge between Arabs and Americans
3. What was the impact of the Gallup Poll? [focus on process]
Q – Prior to viewing the film, the professor/teacher might ask the audience
how they would go about collecting the data from such a large
undertaking. The discussion should focus on the process and how the
data might be collected (i.e. challenges). He/she should set the table for
how the data in this poll might be used constructively.
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- most comprehensive poll of Muslim opinion
- data could serve as bridge between Arab/Muslim world and U.S./West
4. Predominant U.S. images of Muslims.
Q - Discuss how Americans might view Muslims. What images come to
mind?
2
Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
-
Discussion might focus on stereotypes, preconceived notions of the
Arab world, etc.
Attention should be drawn to how those stereotypes/notions have been
formed (i.e. through contact with Muslims, travel, TV, media, etc.)
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Typical U.S. media images of Muslims is challenged by exploring
ordinary Muslims
- 9/11, images of Iraq, violent images, terrorism (particularly Islamic
radicals)
- Islamic militants overrepresented in U.S. media
- Focus of media is on violence and terrorism without broader context
*Note – the professor/teacher should point out how the images in the film
actually reinforce the negative stereotypes the film purports to challenge
(strange irony)
5. Gender Justice
Q – Discussion could begin with how Muslim women are viewed or
portrayed in the media. The professor/teacher could introduce the
concepts of the hijab and sharia.
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Muslim women thought to be submissive and oppressed (data
contradicts this view)
Example: hijab – religious mandate, women see faith as playing
important role in personal & professional life attachment to
moral and spiritual values
Example: sharia – data contradicts view of “medieval set of
edicts” and that it violates human rights and women’s rights
o Women in Pakistan are using sharia to argue for greater
rights
o Rule of law defined in Islamic context
-Analogy between how the Ten Commandments inform American
moral values in the same way the Qu’ran informs Islamic values.
- Islamic law equals the combination of divine and human
o many rights generated both civilly and religiously
o majority Muslim values are not those of preachers of hate
o majority view religion in positive and constructive way
3
Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
6. Religion
Q – The film does not explicitly address the basic tenets of Islam. Why do
you think that is so?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Gallup Poll shows [U.S.] lack of understanding (2002 54%  2007
57%)
- [U.S.] dangerous misperception – Muslim beliefs so fundamentally
different from Judeo-Christian that reconciliation not possible
- Act of terror (9/11) conflated to represent Islam as a whole but
McVeigh and Goldstein not conflated with Christianity and Judaism
respectively
- Muslims don’t feel the need to separate themselves from terrorists in
the name of Islam any more than whites feel the need to separate the
KKK from Christianity
7. Suicide bombings
Q – Is there a connection between religion (i.e. Islam) and the suicide
bombings we find in the Middle East?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Gallup Poll data suggests these acts are not religiously motivated
- Religion is something suicide bombers use but is not ordained by Islam
- Suicide bombings have a long history (Tamil Tigers, Japanese
Kamikazes) not necessarily religiously motivated or associated with
Islam
8. Muslim Attitudes Toward Use of Violence
Q – One could say the major finding from the poll is that the majority of
Muslims are not involved in violence and condemn the few that are. Do
you agree?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Most Muslims condemn people involved in violence in the name of faith
- Majority Muslims are against terrorism b/c they believe terrorism is
against their faith
4
Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
9. Muslim Violence Against Americans
Q – Following the attacks of September 11th, a theory that took hold was
that they [Muslims] hate us [Americans/West] because of who we are.
What do you think that theory is based on?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- The Gallup Poll showed this theory has no validity.
10. Muslims’ Views of Democracy
Q – Do you think Muslims aspire to have the same democratic ideals that
we have here in the United States? What do you think the Gallup Poll
data will show?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Data shows Muslims aspire to the same ideals we aspire to (freedom,
democracy)
11. U.S foreign policy and Arab anger
Q – Can a connection be drawn between U.S. foreign policy and the anger
many Arabs/Muslims hold towards the United States?
*Note: Background on U.S. foreign policy towards the Arab world should
be provided – e.g. support for authoritarian regimes (autocrats who control
population, keep oil flowing, and provide stability); support for Israel; war
in Iraq; opposition to Iran’s quest for nuclear power, etc.
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Many Muslims do not believe the U.S. is serious about allowing selfdetermination in the Arab world
- Disconnect between American values and the ways it treats the Arab
world
- Seen as sign by Muslims that Americans do not see Muslims as equals
- U.S. support of authoritarian regimes = source of anger
o U.S. foreign policy accepts Arab rulers as autocrats who control
populations, keep oil flowing to the West, provide stability
5
Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
12. It’s American Policies, not American Culture, stupid.
Q – What evidence is there that anger/frustration is not directed toward
American culture and/or values?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Gallup poll data suggests it is not our culture but our policies that
cause resentment
- People’s opinions of other countries correlate with that country’s
policies, not religion or culture. Example: Canada – same culture,
different policies than the U.S.
13. Israel as a Symbol of the West
Q – What does Israel symbolize to the Arab World? How might Israel be
seen as a source of tension for Arabs?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Israel is viewed as the “heritage of the West”
- Israel is a daily reminder that the West has settled in the heart of the
Arab world
- By extension, U.S. is seen as a colonial power
o [U.S.] threatens, sanctions, invades Arab world
o Treat us like kids (“they can mold us like puddy”)
 Classic definition of colonial mentality
14. U.S. made a “grave error” in its response to Sept. 11th
Q – How do Arabs perceive the American response to Sept. 11 th?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- U.S. did not capitalize on worldwide sympathy
15. Iraq war
Q – What has been the effect of the Iraq war on Muslim public opinion
of the United States? What has been the broader effect on the U.S.
image abroad?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Arab world views U.S. policy in Middle East:
6
Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
o Discriminatory (does not treat Arabs/Israelis equally)
o Arrogant and predatory
o Racist – assumes there is something wrong with Arab society;
seeks to change elements of Arab society
-
Problem – alienate vast numbers of people
16. Justifications for U.S. foreign policy
Q – What are the interests of the United States in the Arab world? What is
the difference between “interests” and “policies?” Should we continue to
pursue policies if they create a backlash against America and negatively
influence Muslim popular opinion of America?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- U.S. should not give up its interests in the region simply because
others don’t like those interests
- U.S. would benefit from a greater understanding of Arabs/Muslims
o Figure out what they want – tweak policy
o Do for them in other areas
17. Terrorism I
Q – How can the data in the Gallup Poll can be used to discuss terrorists
who are Muslim?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Gallup Poll data shows
- Terrorists (radicals) number in the thousands, which is a fraction
of percentage of Muslims
o The actual number of terrorists are overrepresented in
media
- Majority of Muslims say 9/11 attacks were “not justified”
o only 7% are “radicals” – they say that 9/11 attacks were
“completely justified”
- Not one radical cited a verse from the Qu’ran to justify attacks
- Radicals are more similar to revolutionaries than to religious zealots
18. Terrorism II
7
Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
Q – What do terrorists who are Muslim and other terrorists have in
common?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Start as revolutionaries
- Kill innocents when no mass revolution
- Marginalized figures – look for media
19. Jihad
Q – What is the concept of jihad and what does it means to the majority of
Muslims? What is the Western perception of jihad? How do Westerners
conceptualize jihad based on media portrayal and usage?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- ‘Jihad’ means struggle for God, struggle to be good, struggle to fight
corruption & poverty, struggle against oppression
- Positive connotations to Muslims
- Applying the term ‘jihad’ gives terrorists legitimacy within the context
of Islam
- Applying jihad to terrorism = empowering those that should be
marginalized
- Arabs/Muslims just as likely to reject attacks on civilians
- Attacks on civilians are prohibited in Islam
20. What Makes a Radical I
Q – Discussion should focus on how the Gallup Poll data shows the
radical fringe is more likely politically motivated rather than religiously
motivated and their numbers are much less than the media would lead
one to believe.
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- 7% fringe is politically radicalized
- Gallup Poll separates radical criminals from common values of society
o Example: abortion clinics – most Americans don’t like them but
not willing to bomb
- Terrorists (take action) are a fraction of 1% = thousands
- Most of the radicalized 7% = cheering section
o no more religious than mainstream
o views are based on politics, not piety
o fit the profile of political revolutionary
8
Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
21. What Makes a Radical II
Q – What does the Gallup Poll data show about the characteristics of the
radicalized 7%?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
-
Poll data:
o Radicals more likely to say “sacrificing own life and attacking
civilians is completely justified”
o More likely to hold negative opinion of U.S. policies
o Feel threatened
o Feel U.S. meddled and controlled internal politics
o Have Negative opinion of own govt.
22. U.S. foreign policy I
Q – What is the goal of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East? Discussion
should present a critique of the realpolitik position.
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- U.S. says it wants democracy but supports regimes that suppress it
- Muslim anger at West = anger at their own regimes
23. U.S. foreign policy II
Q – Can you suggest strategies for US policy in Muslims countries?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- In order to “steer” [Muslim/Arab] countries in the ‘right’ direction, we
need the help of the people
- Tap into grievances with their own governments (Saudi, Egypt)
24. Opportunity
Q – How can the Gallup polling data be used constructively to build
bridges between the West and the Arab/Muslim world and engage the
Muslim world more effectively?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Interpret data – Muslim values don’t match stereotypes
- What Muslims want – study, live in free societies
9
Inside Islam On Campus Supplementary Viewing Guide
25. Role of American citizens
Q – What is the role of American citizens?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Because we are so involved in the Middle East, it is our patriotic duty
to understand the dynamics of Muslim public opinion
- We need to be well-informed citizens
26. Real security threats to the U.S.
Q – Where are the real (not imagined) security threats to the U.S.?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Real security threats = Middle East and South Asia
- Isolationism will not serve us well in globalized context of 21st century
- Need to focus on their problems (most important lesson from 9/11) in
order to serve our American interests
27. Complex societies in the War on Terror
Q – Discuss the complexity of societies. What risks do we run in our
foreign policy if we don’t understand that complexity? What are ways to
understand that complexity?
Film’s Experts/Narration:
- Policies will make us less safe if we don’t understand the nature of
complex societies we are dealing with
- Can only understand societies through the voices of ordinary people
- Engage based on facts, not fear
10