Everyone knows about what's going on in the world with the various violent acts from a variety of different outlets, but they're really touchy topics to talk about because everyone gets on the defensive and starts accusing one another of all kinds of crazy things. The take home topic of this story is that it's important to be aware and cautious of what's going on in this world, but also be tolerant of the people around you. You all may not agree with what one or the other believes but at least be respectful.

They say opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one. While that statement is true, you don't have to be an a**hole about your opinions. Lately I've been receiving some flack for my tolerance of Islam as a religion and good, practicing Muslim people which brought me to writing this article. All I'm asking from you, my readers, is to open your mind to some moderate, centrist perspective. This is not a promotional article for Islam, it's a promotional article for tolerance and respect of your fellow human.

What I'm sharing here is a result of a lot of research and many great conversations with an amazing, warm-hearted, gentle, vivacious, loving friend of mine that I met during my first year in college. She just so happens to be Muslim. Upon meeting her, I had also attended an informational session regarding Islam that was held in a lecture hall at my university where the general public could come and see what Islam was really all about. I'll admit, I was a little Islamophobic last year with all the immigration controversies going around. Additionally, I'll admit I was scared of how it would potentially impact the people I love and care about as I'm sure many did. Little did I know that my fear would lead me to curiosity. From looking back on my notes, to the session I attended months prior, and conversations with my fabulous friend, it has all led me to feeling how I feel today. FREE. I came to learn that I didn't have to let this fear control me and how I viewed people that were, and still are, in my life and in my community. This doesn't mean I don't care about what's happening in the world and places like France and the UK or the potential of it happening here in America. It means I know how to see the good in the midst of struggle.

I just want to clear up a few facts regarding the religion of Islam and Muslim individuals through some reliable sources and information from followers of Islam. It's important to note that one of my sources are biased toward any political party, nor do I affiliate myself with either party. These are strait forward facts.

1. Women are valued and seen as equals.

According to IslamGuide.com, women are independent in their own right and are able to do as they please while being good followers of Islam (i.e owning property, managing business, gifting, charity work, etc.). A woman can even keep her own last name when getting married. Mothers are also highly valued as well, and the prophet Muhammad states in the Quran "The best among you are those who are best to their wives."If you look more into it, there's a lot of of information on this and it's been made pretty evident that women in Islam have done quite a bit for their society and this religion, including canonizing the Quran!

2. Extremists aren't real Muslims because killing people is wrong, according to the Quran.

My friend I mentioned earlier shared this quote from the Quran with me regarding killing people, “…whosoever killeth a human being… it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind…” Quran 5:32

In regards to Jihad, often translated as "holy war," killing people for the sake of their religion is unheard of. According to the Islamic Supreme Council of America, jihad is a word for "struggle" or "striving." This means that jihad coincides with the efforts to follow Islam properly according to their laws as well as working to spread the word about Islam and Allah. This concept is also practiced in Christianity. As Christians we want to inform people about God's word. However, this doesn't mean imposing our beliefs or religious conversion onto people who don't currently follow the same religion or resort to killing them if they oppose us.

3. Sharia Law DOES NOT mean everyone had to convert to Islam and/or practice Islamic Law.

People have blown up the fear of Islamic beliefs taking over American society with Sharia Law and this is also completely false and unreasonable. Here's why; according to the Islamic Supreme Council of America in reference to the Quran, "The Qur’an clearly states, "There is no compulsion in religion, the path of guidance stands out clear from error," [2:256] and [60:8]. This means that Muslim people aren't all about forced conversion, and your faith is found on your own path, without coercion.

According to an expert I had the privilege to speak with on Islam-Guide.com, Sharia Law is only implemented into a community and/or population with a Muslim majority and is not a means of imposing religious law on Non-Muslims. It's simply a way for a Muslim communities and populations to follow their own rules per their religion and judicial practices in accordance to their beliefs. Non-Muslims in a society with Sharia law would not be forced to follow these laws because they not only do not practice the faith but also will not be forced into practicing. It's synonymous to Canon Law in the Catholic Church, where it is a major body of religious law and the non-believers of said religion are not forced to follow.

4. The Hijab IS NOT a sign of oppression for Muslim women.

Surprise! The Bible says women should wear hijabs or head coverings as well. According to PeaceThought.com and in reference to the Bible:

"Every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered disgraces her head, for it is the same as if she were shaven. Let her cover her head. A man indeed ought not to cover his head, because he is the image and glory of God. But woman is the glory of man. For man was not created for woman, but woman for man. This is why the woman ought to have a sign of authority over her head, because of the angels.” - New Testament (1 Corinthians 11:3-10)

It's a practice of modest dressing in accordance to scripture, which is why Muslim women wear hijabs. However, today, it is not a common practice in Christianity. I've been told by Muslim women that it makes them feel beautiful, and I agree! Hijab or not, every woman is entitled to dress the way she pleases and, in a Muslim woman's case, it may be to wear a hijab or other similar modest garments for religious reasons.

5. There are quite a few similarities between Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

See chart below: Note that not all similarities are listed here.

After reaching out and doing some in depth research and a little interviewing, a lot of major misconceptions were immediately cleared up. Additionally, I even learned new things I could use to educate people. I'm not Muslim, but I love the Muslim friends I have in my life. It hurts me to see them be so hurt by people who are ignorant to what Islam is really about, and being persecuted for what they believe.

As a Christian woman, it's extremely important to me to love my neighbors and help them when they're in need, bring them up when they're down-trodden, stand up for them in the face of persecution, be a positive light in this world and give my fear and anguish about what's going on in this world to God. I'm striving to do exactly that and I hope you, as a reader do too, whether you're Christian, Muslim, Atheist or another religion. Get that fear out of your heart and replace it with education and love.

Something that really struck me during my conversation with my Muslim friend was when she said,

"To me, Islam is perfect, but Muslims aren't."

This could be applied to any facet of religion or life. I like to think of the same thing in relation to this world.

To me, Love is perfect, but Humans aren't.