What If Everything You Know About Islam Is Wrong?  The following is parts of this link:

What if the version of Islam you've heard isn't actually Islam?

It's a difficult question. Most people form opinions about Islam without ever reading the Qur'an, studying the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) life, or speaking with practicing Muslims. Instead, their understanding often comes from headlines, social media clips, political debates, movies, or isolated incidents involving people who happen to identify as Muslim.

But what if those sources are giving you only fragments

of a much larger picture?

Islam is practiced by nearly two billion people across every continent, encompassing thousands of cultures, languages, and traditions. Yet despite its global presence, it remains one of the most misunderstood religions in the world.

Many people associate Islam with conflict.

The Qur'an repeatedly speaks about mercy.

Many think Islam oppresses women.

History records Muslim women as scholars, entrepreneurs, leaders, and teachers whose contributions shaped entire civilizations.

Some believe Islam discourages critical thinking.

1.  The image of islam is brought about by the terrorism associated with it.  Think of Hamas, Hezbollah, Boko Haram, ISIS, Taliban, the theocracy in Iran.  These people not only identify as muslim, they are proud to be muslim.

2. islam is not misunderstood.  It is identified as a promoter of violence and evil.

3. islam is associated with conflict - see 1. above.

4.  The qur'an may speak about mercy - where was the mercy shown to underaged girls who were gang-raped by muslim men.  Where was the mercy shown to the victims of those islamic organisations in 1.?

5.  islam does oppress women - see 4 above.  Women are oppressed in so-called 'honour killings', a particularly cowardly muslim 'mercy'