Shane wrote:
No, definitely not! But it does say to me that if you're going to write about Muslims, you should learn a bit about what the different groups are, and make sure that the descriptions you've got for them are right for the group you're writing about. Or to make the decision to throw all that information to one side, if you feel the story justifies it. But you should have the information to begin with.
Or, to quote Harlan Ellison, "everyone is entitled to an *informed* opinion."
But, alas, fiction often isn't written that way. "Write what you know" remains one of the best maxims for an author, but some authors stretch beyond the personal experiences into imaginative and speculative areas. When they do that, they'll get some things wrong. Whether it's the details on a space ship, how it feels to break a leg, or the nuances of a religion or relationship they've never encountered, it'll happen.
For some readers, this is unacceptable. For others, it's ok. For others still, they don't even notice. It's just a numbers game.
steve