Many have a negative outlook toward any religion or religious adherence as the source of intolerance and conflict. These brothers and sisters are usually very annoyed at the question or implication put to them, when it should be obvious that they do not follow Louis Farrakhan nor do they ascribe to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. It must be remembered that they will primarily be identified by race and the label Muslim by non-Muslims who are not well read or familiar with the details of Islam. Therefore, it is incumbent upon them to overcome their annoyance and grasp the opportunity to tell any such person just what Islam is and not necessarily lambasting the Nation of Islam in the process because again, the non-Muslim often does not understand the significance of the differences between the two. It is best to give a clear explanation of Islam and then let that individual come to his or her own conclusions.
Truth is clear from falsehood.
A similar situation occurs with regard to Arab Muslims who are perceived as one group to many as well. Every Muslim faces potentially being identified with whatever negative portrayal currently being highlighted by the mass media or academic circles. Let's face it and deal with it, but without apologizing for it. We should express our disgust at the poor behavior of individual Muslims who drink, smoke, do drugs, carouse with women or commit unjust acts of violence or any un-Islamic behavior and instead display through our own behavior that the aforementioned is contradictory to the pristine and noble character taught by Islam. The same goes for expressing condemnation and disgust at the murder and killing of thousands, in places like Algeria that is attributed to Muslims or senseless acts of terror and violence anywhere else that may occur in Muslim lands.