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Medieval Muslim Myth Busted by Human Rights Lawyer and Historical Facts

By Daisy Khan

Sep 23, 2025

On this episode of WISE Women with Daisy Khan, International human rights lawyer Arsalan Ifthikar brings decades of expertise to conversations about religious freedom and civil liberties. As the author of multiple books, including Scapegoats: How Islamophobia Helps Our Enemies and Threatens Our Freedoms, which former President Jimmy Carter called "an important book that shows Islamophobia must be addressed urgently," Ifthikar has appeared on major media outlets worldwide, from CNN to BBC. His background as former research faculty at Georgetown University's Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service, combined with his over 300 NPR appearances, positions him uniquely to address complex issues of religious bias in American society.

The persistent stereotype that Muslims remain trapped in medieval thinking while being incompatible with Western democratic values represents one of the most damaging and historically inaccurate misconceptions in modern discourse. This narrative deliberately ignores both the extraordinary achievements of Islamic civilization and the contemporary realities of Muslim leadership in democratic societies worldwide. Research shows that in 2015, unfavorable attitudes toward Muslim Americans rose to a high of 67%, despite Muslims contributing meaningfully to American society for centuries. Examining these claims through factual analysis reveals a calculated strategy of scapegoating that has targeted various minority groups throughout American history, with Muslims serving as the latest targets in this manufactured cycle of fear.

The Golden Age Achievement That Shame Medieval Stereotypes

The supreme irony of labeling Muslims as "medieval" becomes apparent when examining the actual medieval period of Islamic history, which represents humanity's most brilliant era of scientific and cultural advancement. During this golden age, spanning roughly 750-1200 AD, Muslim scholars created foundational knowledge that Europeans relied upon for centuries, establishing the very foundations of modern science, medicine, and mathematics that Western civilization still uses today. Islamic mathematicians such as Al-Khwarizmi, Avicenna and others made advances in algebra, trigonometry, geometry and Arabic numerals that became the backbone of mathematical education worldwide.

The Canon of Medicine by Ibn Sina (Avicenna) became the standard medical textbook in Europe for over 600 years, demonstrating the lasting superiority of Islamic medical knowledge over European practices of the time. While European societies were still struggling with basic hygiene and medical understanding, Islamic physicians had already developed modern anesthesia, pioneered surgical techniques, and established systematic approaches to medical education that included detailed study of anatomy and pharmacology. These achievements make calling Muslims "medieval" particularly absurd, as it references an era when Islamic civilization led the world in virtually every field of human knowledge.

Educational achievements during this period created institutions that continue operating today, predating famous Western universities by centuries. The University of Al-Karaouine in Fez, Morocco, founded by Fatima al-Fihri in 859 AD, holds recognition from Guinness World Records as the world's oldest continuously operating degree-granting university established by a woman. This remarkable institution educated students from across the known world while European centers of learning were still centuries away from establishment, making Harvard, Oxford, and Bologna relatively modern institutions by comparison. The historical achievements of Golden Age Muslim mathematicians include developments of algebra and algorithms by Muhammad Ibn Musa al Khwarizmi, spherical trigonometry, the use of decimal point notation, and the introduction of cryptanalysis - innovations that form the backbone of modern technology and scientific method.

Democratic Leadership That Exposes Western Hypocrisy  

Contemporary political realities completely demolish claims about Muslim incompatibility with democratic governance and progressive leadership. Nine Muslim-majority countries have elected female heads of state since 1988, a milestone that the United States has yet to achieve despite its claims of democratic leadership and gender equality. These nations include Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Northern Cyprus, and Senegal, representing diverse geographical regions and political systems that shatter stereotypes about Muslim attitudes toward women in leadership roles. According to UN Women data, just 19 countries globally have a woman Head of State, and 22 countries have a woman Head of Government as of September 2025, making Muslim countries' record particularly impressive.

The success of Muslim women in achieving the highest levels of political power demonstrates both the falseness of medieval stereotypes and the hypocrisy of Western critiques. Countries like Bangladesh have elected women as prime ministers multiple times, while Pakistan elected Benazir Bhutto as the first female leader of a Muslim-majority nation in modern history in 1988. These achievements occurred despite significant cultural and political challenges, proving that Islamic societies can adapt and evolve within democratic frameworks while maintaining their religious identities. Meanwhile, the United States has dropped from 52nd to 104th place globally for women's political representation, falling nine places in just one year and revealing the gap between American democratic rhetoric and reality.

Evidence of Muslim democratic participation extends far beyond women's leadership to broader civic engagement and institution-building throughout history. The Charter of Medina, created by Prophet Muhammad, established principles of consent-based governance and religious pluralism that prefigured modern democratic concepts by centuries. Contemporary Muslim communities worldwide participate actively in democratic processes, running for office, voting, and engaging in civil society organizations at rates that often exceed their non-Muslim counterparts. The notion that Islamic values inherently conflict with democratic principles ignores both historical precedent and current reality, revealing more about the prejudices of critics than about actual Muslim beliefs and practices.

The Scapegoating Machine That Targets Muslims  

The systematic targeting of Muslim communities follows a predictable three-step formula that has been applied to minority groups throughout American history, as documented in congressional testimony and civil rights research. First comes alienation, where the targeted group gets labeled as fundamentally different and threatening to mainstream society. Next arrives criminalization, where policies and legislation specifically target these communities under the guise of national security. Finally, elimination efforts emerge through discriminatory laws, social exclusion, and sometimes physical violence against the scapegoated population. FBI data shows that hate crimes against Muslims rose 1,617% from 2000 to 2001, marking some of the highest numbers of Islamophobic hate crimes ever recorded in American history.

This pattern becomes evident when examining post-9/11 legislation like the USA PATRIOT Act, which passed just two months after the attacks with unprecedented speed and scope. The legislation's lengthy acronym - "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001" - masked its true purpose of expanding government surveillance powers and broadening definitions of domestic terrorism. What appeared to be emergency response legislation had actually been prepared well in advance, waiting for a politically expedient moment to become law. These expanded powers allowed law enforcement to target not just suspected terrorists, but college student groups, anti-war activists, and civil rights organizations, fundamentally altering American civil liberties.

Research by UC Berkeley and the Council on American-Islamic Relations found that $206 million was funded to 33 groups whose primary purpose was to promote prejudice against Islam and Muslims between 2008 and 2013, creating what scholars call the "Islamophobia industry." This demonstrates that anti-Muslim sentiment isn't organic fear but rather a well-funded political strategy. The targeting extends far beyond American borders, with Muslim communities serving as political footballs in elections worldwide. In Poland, despite Muslims comprising less than one percent of the population, anti-Muslim rhetoric appears in 99% of presidential campaigns, demonstrating that Islamophobia functions as a political tool regardless of actual Muslim presence.

Stories of Hope That Counter Manufactured Hatred  

Real-world examples of interfaith cooperation provide antidotes to manufactured fears and demonstrate the potential for building bridges across religious divides, particularly when people interact with Muslims directly rather than relying on distorted media representations. The story of six-year-old Jack Swanson exemplifies this potential when he donated his entire savings of twenty dollars to help rebuild a vandalized mosque in Pflugerville, Texas. Young Jack had earned this money doing household chores, originally planning to save for an iPad, but chose instead to help his Muslim neighbors after learning about the attack on their place of worship. This act of childhood generosity created a ripple effect that reached national attention, leading to a CNN interview and demonstrating the power of authentic kindness to transcend religious boundaries.

When Arsalan Ifthikar learned of Jack's donation through social media, he immediately purchased an iPad for the young boy, explaining that no good deed should go unrewarded. The interaction generated widespread positive media coverage and showed ordinary Americans choosing compassion over fear, inclusion over isolation, and recognizing common humanity across religious lines. Such grassroots moments of connection offer more hope for combating prejudice than formal educational campaigns or political speeches because they create authentic relationships that undermine the scapegoating strategies employed by political opportunists.

These organic displays of solidarity prove that manufactured fears lose their power when people interact directly with Muslim communities, creating opportunities for meaningful relationship-building. Despite rising discrimination, with Muslims reporting that almost 80% feel at least somewhat worried about their family's safety in the U.S., stories like Jack's demonstrate that individual acts of kindness can create powerful counter-narratives. The challenge lies in amplifying these positive interactions while combating the well-funded machinery of division that profits from maintaining religious and cultural barriers.

Building Bridges Through Facts and Authentic Partnerships  

The medieval Muslim myth persists only when people remain isolated from actual Muslim communities and rely on distorted media representations rather than personal experiences and historical facts. Breaking down these barriers requires recognizing that Muslim Americans face systematic discrimination, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations documenting 3,578 hate crime complaints in just the last three months of 2023, representing a crisis that demands immediate attention from all Americans committed to justice and equality. The stakes of this work extend beyond Muslim communities alone, as the scapegoating tactics used against Muslims today will inevitably target other groups tomorrow, making solidarity a necessity for all minority communities and democratic institutions.

Effective counter-narratives must combine historical education about Islamic achievements with contemporary storytelling that highlights Muslim contributions to American society in fields ranging from medicine and technology to public service and entrepreneurship. Research shows that nearly half of Americans hold negative views about Muslims, largely due to a lack of personal connections and media-driven stereotypes rather than actual knowledge about Islamic teachings or Muslim communities. Educational initiatives should emphasize the Islamic golden age achievements alongside modern Muslim innovations in science, technology, medicine, and public service that benefit all Americans regardless of religious background.

The choice facing Americans today involves deciding whether to continue allowing fear-based politics to divide communities or to embrace the democratic values of inclusion and equal participation that define American ideals at their best. Statistics show that most Americans recognize discrimination against Muslims, with roughly 59% saying there is "a lot" of discrimination against Muslims in the United States, indicating widespread awareness that change is needed.

Take action today to combat the medieval Muslim myth and support your Muslim neighbors:

  • Educate yourself about Islamic Golden Age contributions to science, medicine, and mathematics that shaped modern civilization

  • Support Muslim-owned businesses and amplify Muslim voices in your community and social media networks

  • Visit local mosques during open house events to learn about Islamic traditions and build personal connections

  • Challenge stereotypes when you encounter them in conversations, online discussions, or workplace settings

  • Vote for inclusive candidates who oppose discriminatory policies and support civil rights for all Americans

  • Read books by Muslim authors to understand the diversity of perspectives within Islamic thought and contemporary Muslim experiences

History will judge whether this generation chose to repeat past patterns of scapegoating or finally broke the cycle by choosing understanding over ignorance, historical facts over manufactured myths, and love over politically convenient hatred. The evidence overwhelmingly supports Muslim contributions to human civilization and democratic governance - the question remains whether Americans will choose facts over fear in shaping policies and attitudes that affect millions of their fellow citizens.

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News [Source: CBS Evening News]
A man sent a hateful message to a Muslim candidate. He responded with a call for help, article by Steve Hartman
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-man-sent-a-hateful-message-to-a-muslim-candidate-he-responded-with-a-call-to-help/

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