Orthodox Jews versus "orthodox" Muslims in the US

In my years in the US, I have noticed this about American culture: when someone is known to be an Orthodox Jewish person, it is always a subject of admiration and praise, but when someone is known to be an observant Muslim, it is horrifying to people.  This reminds me that in my first teaching job at Tufts University, a colleague there once took me aside and said: are you a Lebanese Christian? I said: no, I am from a Muslim family.  He said: but you are not religious, right? I said: no, I am not. He was visibly relieved.