Academic

Interesting column on Islam and naming kids Mohammed

By Tung Yin

Richard Francaviglia has a column in the Salem Statesman-Journal on Muslim names:

A few years ago, when an Arab terrorist named Mohammed was apprehended, a Jewish friend asked, in exasperation, "If Islam is such a peaceful religion, why are so many of these bloodthirsty terrorists named Mohammed?"

The answer is simple: Mohammed ? the name of Islam's founding prophet ? happens to be the most common name given to Muslim boys. This name appears in many forms. For example, Ahmad, Hamid and Mahmud. Mohammed (or similar variations) is also a common surname. Therefore, the odds favor someone named Mohammed in any action by a Muslim because the name is so common among all Muslims ? moderate or conservative, mainstream or radical Islamism.

The funny thing is that I've heard that Mohammed is the most common given name, and Chang is the most common surname, but I've never met a Mohammed Chang.

Full post as published by The Yin Blog on February 09, 2011 (boomark / email).