Many people probably imagine that Islam is a religion with powerful evangelizing strength. But it isn't true, at least in Africa. As of now, it is estimated that Christians make up 46 percent of population, while Muslims are 40 percent. The remainder are largely animists.
Maybe the reason that Islam is not doing better is its growing reputation for violence. Innocent people invariably are targeted, including fellow Muslims. In this way the extremists make the news, but not new converts, it would seem.
Of course, the public in the West might do well to understand that the riots and terrorism are not the voice of the Muslim "street", any more than Occupy demonstrators represent New York. Life goes on, even in cities with riots. It is not fair to judge all Muslims by the passions of the demonstrators, any more than to suppose that in the 20s and 30s the Ku Klux Klan spoke for Christians in America.
In any event, Islam needs better public relations these days, just as the US Government needs a better public relations program for dealing with Muslims overseas.
