# I say "Islam" What's the first thing you think of? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2012, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515 "2012-02-02T06:08:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/41 "2012-02-02T15:06:25Z")
Mosque ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/42 "2012-02-02T15:07:32Z")
Religion. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/43 "2012-02-02T15:11:25Z")
A mosque. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/44 "2012-02-02T15:16:17Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Some generic Christian frothing at the mouth about how evil it is. Bingo. Mostly the way you get idiotic comments or posts whenever the topic comes up. Surprisingly, there’s only been one in here (so far). ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/45 "2012-02-02T15:30:05Z")
Images of Muslim friends of mine pop up in my head. Then a woman in a Hijab, probably because I just came back from walking the dogs and that was the last person I saw. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/46 "2012-02-02T15:36:50Z")
The beautiful Islamic architecture of Southern Spain, stone lattice walls of courtyards with straight edged ponds. Mind you I was concious of keeping obvious negative stuff away. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/47 "2012-02-02T15:43:30Z")
The [mosque at Djenne](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://sacredsites.com/africa/mali/images/mosque-of-djenne-500.jpg&imgrefurl=http://sacredsites.com/africa/mali/djenne.html&h=333&w=500&sz=37&tbnid=Xf02mNwl1EpiCM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&zoom=1&docid=wziC5cwbJQ2pyM&sa=X&ei=ZK4qT7mCIeKjiAKcwcy7Cg&ved=0CEoQ9QEwBA&dur=2150) in Mali. Also the [Blue Mosque](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://packagesturkey.com/files/Blue_Mosque_01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://packagesturkey.com/blue-mosque-(sultan-ahmet-mosque),13.html&h=480&w=734&sz=112&tbnid=RArzZDsAKtSnuM:&tbnh=75&tbnw=115&zoom=1&docid=sLOQ2V7SLe5SVM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7q4qT7faJKqWiAKI9rCuCg&sqi=2&ved=0CE4Q9QEwAw&dur=1293http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://packagesturkey.com/files/Blue_Mosque_01.jpg&imgrefurl=http://packagesturkey.com/blue-mosque-(sultan-ahmet-mosque),13.html&h=480&w=734&sz=112&tbnid=RArzZDsAKtSnuM:&tbnh=75&tbnw=115&zoom=1&docid=sLOQ2V7SLe5SVM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7q4qT7faJKqWiAKI9rCuCg&sqi=2&ved=0CE4Q9QEwAw&dur=1293) in Istanbul. I’ve seen both, and they’re impressive. So I guess Islam makes me think of architecture. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/48 "2012-02-02T15:49:02Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > ? I dunno… > > An image of a star and crescent on a green field? That’s weird. Ditto. The Crescent Moon of Diana. > [@Scholar\_Beardpig](#): > > First thing that comes to mind is the sound of the adhan, or the call to prayer. > > Second, of course, is memories of playing Age of Empires 2, playing as the Teutons, and getting my Teutonic Knights shot to shit by Saracen camel archers. But first is definitely the Adhan. Teutonic Knights suck! That’s your problem. Got to lace up their ranks with Halberdiers! ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/49 "2012-02-02T15:51:13Z")
My first thought was “Minarets”. ---
**Author:** ![wildspirit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c57346/32.png) [@wildspirit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wildspirit)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/50 "2012-02-02T16:01:00Z")
Bearded due, white capped, walking on the street, perhaps moderately educated, engaged in semi skilled work ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/51 "2012-02-02T16:05:53Z")
Minaret also. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/52 "2012-02-02T16:06:00Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > Repression of women. Sorry. Hey, everytime most muslims think of Dutch its either the drugs or the actions in Indonesia. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/53 "2012-02-02T16:11:59Z")
**missed edit wiondow**. Unless they are Pakistanis from before about 2000. Then the Dutch are simply; “The Enemy”. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/54 "2012-02-02T16:12:03Z")
Sand, and that little generic musical lick with the oboe and the finger cymbals. What can I say - it’s the first thing I thought of. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/55 "2012-02-02T16:16:06Z")
“Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.” The three tend to get mentioned a lot together. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/56 "2012-02-02T16:19:52Z")
As a young kid climbing a tree to see if [the minaret lights are on](http://puharska.net/slike/monog2.JPG) to let my parents know that fast for the day is over. Also, visiting [inside](http://puharska.net/caffe/images/merzuk2/dvoriste_tepih%20036a.jpg). Note that the photos are of the new mosque in my hometown neighbourhood - but it looks pretty much the same. It was destroyed twice (in 1944 by Tito’s Partisans and in 1992 by Serbs) then each time, rebuilt. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/57 "2012-02-02T16:20:38Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Terrorism. > > I’m quite surprised that no-one has yet given the same answer. I’ll admit this is the first thing I thought of as well, followed by a flash of regret for it being the first thing I thought of. I suspect that some artistic license is being exercised in several of these “first thoughts.” ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/58 "2012-02-02T16:25:07Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’ll admit this is the first thing I thought of as well, followed by a flash of regret for it being the first thing I thought of. > > I suspect that some artistic license is being exercised in several of these “first thoughts.” Perhaps, or perhaps it just depends on your personal experience with Islam and also what you’ve been doing/reading that day. Er, doing as in talking about terrorism, not committing it. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/59 "2012-02-02T16:33:01Z")
> [@](#): > > First thing that comes to mind is the sound of the adhan, or the call to prayer. This, absolutely. For me, at dawn, in a small dusty village, hearing the breaking voice of a young boy, singing out the call to prayer, over a crackly old audio system, mist rising off the jungle. It was magic. I’ve heard it, in lots of different places, delivered in many different fashions. But this was the one I’ll always remember warmly. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515/60 "2012-02-02T17:19:34Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I’ll admit this is the first thing I thought of as well, followed by a flash of regret for it being the first thing I thought of. > > I suspect that some artistic license is being exercised in several of these “first thoughts.” Yes, I did as well but it was definitely my first thought. Not surprising I suppose as I don’t really have much day to day visible contact with religions and so the non-problematic aspects of any major religion are likely to be less memorable than than the bad, headline stuff. Hence Catholic = Paedophile priests and Scientology = stalkers, Judaism = holocaust etc. etc. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-say-islam-whats-the-first-thing-you-think-of/611515.md?page=4)