Why do some people hate Arabs?

Answer 1

Answer 1

Most people do not hate Arabs, but there is a certainly a minority of Westerners who do. Arab hatred is much rarer in non-Western cultures (mostly because non-Westerners do not often have long-term interactions with Arabs). This answer discusses exclusively these negative opinions:

1) Islamic Terrorism: Americans remember well what happened on 9-11, when Osama bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda Terrorist Organization intentionally attacked and murdered over 3,000 American citizens. While Al-Qaeda was based in Afghanistan, bin Laden was himself a Saudi as were 15 of the 19 pilots. Rather than express regret for the loss of life and condemnation of the attacks, a sizable minority of Middle Eastern clerics remained neutral or claimed this as "a victory against the West". Additionally, surveys have shown that many Muslims (including Arabs) believe that 9-11 was a Western inside-job and do not take credit for the failures in their society that lead to this type of terrorism. As a result, Westerners are afraid of subsequent attacks from Arab individuals. In the European context, the Madrid Train Bombing on 3-11, the London Train Bombings on 7-7, the murder of Theo van Gogh in the Netherlands, and numerous smaller terrorist attacks were also perpetrated by Arab Islamic Terrorists in European countries. This makes the Europeans fearful about further and more common attacks.

2) Arab Anti-American Protests: Nowhere in the world is more famous for US and European flag-burning than the Arab World. The US is often condemned for its actions in the Middle East and its symbols and ideals mocked and cajoled. For those with a sense of patriotism and pride, these acts engender rage towards those who perform them. Since this is more common in the Arab World than elsewhere, more animosity is directed towards Arabs. It is worth noting that such protests may be entirely meritorious due to US policies in the Middle East, but since most Americans are unfamiliar with their policies there, they only see this negative reaction. In the European context, events such as the Jyllands-Posten Cartoon scandal led to Danish embassies being attacked and people dying over a moderately insulting cartoon (some of which was even fabricated by Danish Imams who were angry that more Danish Muslims were not enraged). Europeans have fought numerous wars to protect their freedoms of religion and speech, which Arabs seem to little regard for.

3) Arab Anti-Israeli Sentiment: Many Americans fervently support the State of Israel as an expression of their Christian or Jewish faith. The Arab antagonism towards the State of Israel alienates them and infuriates them. They have no opposition to the Arab States existing, so why should the Arab States have any opposition to the Jewish State existing? Similarly, in Europe, this is also morphing into general Anti-Semitism. Jews are now fleeing the Swedish city of Malmö because of Arab riots there. In France, Ilan Halimi was brutally tortured and killed by Muslims for the "crime" of being a Jew in Frane.

4) Rampant Human Rights Abuses: The Arab World is known numerous human rights abuses, such as torture for prisoners, attacks and unequal legislation against women, the execution of homosexuals, violence towards religious minorities, and other similar offenses. Instead of taking responsibility for these crimes, many Arabs prefer to claim that there are no problems and continue to engage in these activities. Westerners, especially Europeans, often see themselves as the defenders of justice and righteousness and see the Arabs falling far too short in this regard.

5) Failure to Culturally Adjust: Especially in Europe, Arabs have failed to properly integrate into the European population, bringing their customs and traditions with them. There is the expectation in the USA and Europe that you come to the country and become a normal citizen of that country. You can be a citizen with some divergent culture, but it should not be your expectation that society will change to accommodate you. Americans and Europeans see the Arabs in Europe as not making those kind of concessions and expecting Europeans to incorporate Shari'a Law into proper governance. Not wanting this type of climate, they oppose Arabs.

6) Misconceptions about Islam: A lot of Westerners know very little about Islam and have heard conflicting information from different sources. Rather than be open to people of different faiths, these people would rather close themselves off and stick to historical enmities.

Answer 2

People from the Middle East have always been thought of as strange and foreign by Western culture simply for holding a different set of beliefs. It stands to reason, though, that those feelings held by Westerners towards Arabs were intensified after the September 11 terrorist attacks. It was an example of a few extremists ruining it for everyone.

In short, people - as a whole - are ignorant until you prove them wrong. If someone is prejudiced towards you, get to know them. Show them that you are worth as much as anyone else.

Not everyone does hate Arabs.

Answer 2

Answer 1

Unfortunately, the media captures only that which is exciting and interesting. Arabs going to school and getting college diplomas, not interesting. Arabs running successful businesses, not interesting. Arabs campaigning for democratic rights, not interesting. Arabs murdering people, interesting!

Therefore, the few Arabs who perform terrorist acts (such as the 9-11 19) are those who find a home in many western minds.

Answer 2

The truth is that people have very good reasons to think so.

94% of the total number of all the terrorist attacks committed in the world by ALL the terrorist groups were committed by Muslim terrorist groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and others.

35 of 44 most dangerous terrorist groups in the world are Muslim terrorist groups.

Answer 3

Of the millions of Arabs n the world, only a very few can be considered terrorists.

Answer 4

Because most Arabs ARE Muslim.

Not all Arabs are Muslims, but 90% of Arabs are.

The reverse, however, is not the case. Only 22% of all Muslims are Arabs.