Surprised,

Since September 11, Islam has been portrayed as an extreme, violent and barbaric religion. Prior to that Islam did not make many headlines. The word Islam means peace and submission. People need to understand the teachings of Islam before jumping to topics like the niqab, jihad or polygamy. You cannot understand the Islamic reasons behind such topics without understanding what Islam is or means, the 5 pillars of Islam, etc.

I once had a conversation with a Christian girl from university. Do you know what she was arguing about? How Prophet Muhammad married Aisha when she was 9 years of age. Whereas, I wanted to know the logical and religious thinking of Trinity. How can God be Jesus, a person? Jesus is dead - because he is symbolised on the cross. How can people worship a dead person? Doesn't that mean God is dead, too?

To understand Islam and Muslims you need to do your own research into this religion or speak to a Muslim person directly. You should not seek knowledge about Islam through a third party such as the media.

A Muslim person prays, fast, because these are part of the 5 pillars of Islam. It is part of their faith. It is part of the Islamic practice ordered by Allah. A Muslim person does this to be obedient to the teachings of God which Allah revealed to his last Prophet Muhammad. As a Muslim, you want to be closer to Allah so therefore you follow the Islamic law and teachings to achieve this. I want to enter heaven because of my good deeds and want to please my lord who created me for this purpose – to worship Him and Him Alone. This life is test so we have to pass this. If you pass this test, you will be rewarded in paradise. A Muslim becomes fearful when they have committed a sin, etc. You need to feel fearful because of Allah’s punishments. But such fear will not be there if you are following his laws – The Sunnah and the Quran (Koran).

Islam is a religion of peace, submission, not fear. Islam is the fastest growing religion. So many women are converting to Islam. Perhaps they realise their Soul is worth the factual research. People are seeking the truth by researching what they believe to me true or want to know the truth. Christian Scientists are declaring the Koran is from God.

The media has done a great job showing the negative and scary side of Islam. But then again, that is what makes news right? Reporting on the bad, never the good. Just like gossip. People are not interested in hearing about the good deeds of a person but rather their bad. Hopefully, that answers your question about: Islam seems like a religion of fear. My perception (probably very media-influenced) is that Muslims pray/fast/etc because they are fearful of Allah.

I will reply to your next question: women wear the covering because they are fearful of men, next time.