FIRST REMINDER. SUNDAY. 29th day of Rabeeul Awwal. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ISLAM. Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Many non Muslims especially in the west seem to have many misconceptions about Muslims and Islam. Many believe that the western world is advanced, enlightened and liberated, while Islam is just the opposite: primitive, ignorant and oppressed. One reason for this belief is that the media has time and again portrayed the Muslims in a way contrary to Islamic teachings. The key to understanding Islam and Muslims is to resist stereotypes and examine each situation according to Islamic teachings, and NOT by some Muslims’ actions. For this reason, it's our duty to address the most common misconceptions. Have you ever wondered why a "Nun" can be covered from head to toe and she’s respected for devoting herself to God, but when a Muslim woman covers, she’s viewed as “oppressed”? Or why a Jew can grow a beard and he’s just practising his faith, and when a Muslim does that, he’s an “extremist”? One of the most appalling Misconception is that Muslims worship a new God called Allah"what a stupid misconception. This might be due to the fact that Muslims sometimes refer to God as “Allah”. In actuality, Muslims worship the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus peace be upon them all. The word “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for Almighty God - an Arabic word of rich meaning, denoting the one and only God. Allah is also the same word that Arabic speaking Christians and Jews use to refer to God in their scriptures in Arabic. If you pick up an Arabic translation of the Christian Bible, you will see the word “Allah” wherever “God” is used in English. However, although Muslims, Jews and Christians believe in the same God (the Creator), their concepts regarding Him differ significantly which if they don't stop to follow Islam the religion of Jesus Christ PBUH May condemn them to hellfire. For example, Muslims reject the idea of God having any partners or being part of a ‘trinity’, and ascribe perfection only to The Almighty God. Where can Islam go wrong? This is the only religion which teachings is to worship one true God and follow the teachings of all messengers of God especially the last and Final Messenger from God to mankind Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. May Allah the mighty God keep guiding our faith and guide all our offsprings till paradise becomes our final abode. Aameen.