The Effect of Stereotype on Losing National Identity and How to Get Rid of it

Abstract

The stereotypes are general ideological judgments about a group of people which can be classified according to sex, race, religion, age, etc. The distinctive features of each of these categories are considered as defining features of the group as if these features exist equally in each member of that group. These general judgments ignore the differences and variety which may make each member differ from the other. The negative stereotypes in our society lead to losing the national identity and belongingness to the country as one country that contains various religious, racial and doctrinal groups which all constitute one country. This research will tackle the stereotypes in Iraqi society which affect national identity such as racial and religious stereotypes. It also presents some Islamic texts from the Glorious Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah that prohibit negative stereotypes.