Islam’s tenets are frequently distorted and taken out of context, with particular acts or practices being taken to represent or to symbolize a rich and complex faith. Some claim that Islam is incompatible with democracy, or irrevocably hostile to modernity and the rights of women. And in too many circles, disparaging remarks about Muslims are allowed to pass without censure, with the result that prejudice acquires a veneer of acceptability.

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Islam’s tenets are frequently distorted and taken out of context, with particular acts or practices being taken to represent or to symbolize a rich and complex faith. Some claim that Islam is incompatible with democracy, or irrevocably hostile to modernity and the rights of women. And in too many circles, disparaging remarks about Muslims are allowed to pass without censure, with the result that prejudice acquires a veneer of acceptability." in the context of "Kofi Annan — "Secretary-General, addressing Headquarters Seminar on confronting Islamophobia, stresses importance of leadership, two-way integration, dialogue" (7 December 2004)" to mean that wisdom is timeless.