What is an Islamic bomb?
Charles Kimball addressed the point and other topics Thursday, joined by Salam Al-Marayati and Jamie
Tarabay in a panel discussion, "Media coverage of terror in the name of religion.".
Though the panelists are from diverse backgrounds and have different angles on the topic, they generally
agree, the news media, as a whole, has lost credibility.
Two of the main problems are reporting with a bias, and not holding those they cover accountable,
especially in regard to the portrayal of Muslims and the Islamic religion.
Because of the latter problem, the panel understands why Americans generally distrust Muslims, and have
numerous misconceptions about the religion.
The group assembled for the 2011 Currier Lecture series at Bowling Green State University.
Kimball, director of religious studies at the University of Oklahoma, is also the author of "When
Religion Becomes Evil." Al-Marayati is president of Muslim Public Affairs Council in Los Angeles;
while Tarabay is a national correspondent and former Baghdad Bureau chief for National Public Radio. She
is also the author of "A Crazy Occupation."
As for the question about the bomb, Kimball pointed out the obvious – a bomb has no religion, yet he has
seen the term used in various media reports.
"Some journalists don’t even realize how they use adjectives," Kimball said. "How is a
bomb religious? They never talk about a Christian bomb or a Jewish bomb."
Al-Marayati echoed the point citing statistics which documented various violent or terrorist actions done
in the name of religion. When the actions were committed by someone of the Islamic faith, it was
identified in the stories 80 percent of the time as an Islamic action.
However if committed by a person of the Jewish faith, only 20 percent of the stories used the religious
label. Atrocities committed in the name of Christianity were rarely termed as such. If at all, it was
mentioned later as a casual reference Al-Marayati said.
After the presentation by Kimball and Al-Marayati, Tarabay opened her remarks, "As a member of the
mainstream media, can I say sorry?"
Dr. Catherine Cassara, associate professor, opened the session noting there are many good journalists,
but also "there is a lot of lousy journalism" as well.
Kimball had the rare opportunity to be one of seven Americans to meet with the Ayatollah Khomeini on
Christmas day 1979 during the Iranian hostage crisis.

At a time when a group of demonstrators were shouting for the death of president Jimmy Carter and the
Shah of Iran, he and the other Americans were welcomed with open arms.
The panelists all addressed the idea that far too many Americans have an "us versus them"
mentality, which is not the reality. The fears and misinformation are framed by how the media portrays
the Islamic world.
Al-Marayati played a YouTube video which includes he and others addressing the issue of Islamophobia.
(YouTube – Truth over fear: Countering Islamophobia)
"I don’t blame the media," Al-Marayati said. "The media reports are accurate, but not the
truth."
He clarified it is accurate as far as what is perceived, though not the reality.
Manal Elsheikh, a Muslim from Perrysburg, was one of those in attendance.
"This was a very important session to educate the public about misconceptions about Islam," she
said.
Referencing Al-Marayati’s comments about terrorists of other faiths she pointed out Adolph Hitler was a
Christian. "Terrorism doesn’t have a faith."
Among the journalism students in attendance was Kate Noftsinger, a senior from Huron.
"This was excellent, a much needed discussion."
Among the standout points for her was Tarabay’s answer to an audience question.
Aside from NPR, the journalist said one of the best sources for accurate news was "The Daily
Show" which she called "a source of news you should look to." She also included The
Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert. Both shows air on Comedy Central.
"I think it’s an absolute disgrace on the world of media that a show like ‘The Daily Show’ exists. I
love it. Every time John Stewart criticizes everyone including NPR, I love it even more," Tarabay
said.
"It’s amazing how you need a comedy show to remind people of this little thing called
accountability. which is essentially the job of journalism," the NPR correspondent stated.
"Journalists need to take the next step and audiences need to demand it of them as well,"
Tarabay said of accountability.
BGSU junior, Emily Tucker of Bainbridge, said "I am overwhelmed with information. I feel so blind as
to what’s going on. There is so much we don’t know."

Click here to read an additional
story with more information on the Islamic faith.