Is there a difference between "Muslim" and "Moslem"?

[SemperEadem]

Not being of that faith, I was wondering if there is a difference or a preference in titles.

[Brewman_Jax]

1. Checking the dictionary and encyclopedia

the spellings are interchangeable with no preference shown.

[SemperEadem]

2. never mind--I posed the question in the Muslim/Islam folder

I want to know what *they* prefer...

[SemperEadem]

3. answer given from a Muslim

"There's certainly a preference when it comes to "Muslim" and "Moslem." IMHO, "Moslem" is just plain incorrect. The term is supposed to be pronounced "Mus-slim" (not "muz" though, I guess its halfway between a "Mus" and "Moos"), instead of "Mauz-lim."

The following is from Wikipedia:
Until the late 1980s, the term Moslem was commonly used. Muslims do not recommend this spelling because it is often pronounced "mawzlem" /mɒzlɛm/ which sounds somewhat similar to an Arabic word for "oppressed" (Za'lem in Arabic). The word is pronounced /muslem/ in Arabic, but often /mʊślɪm/ in English. The word is now most commonly written "Muslim".

I've never heard about the "Za'lem" bit before but I'd recommend using "Muslim" as its probably as close as you can get to the actual sound of the word."

So, there is a difference.