http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=132942&d=14&m=2&y=2010&pix=opinion.jpg&category=Opinion
Sunday 14 February 2010 (29 Safar 1431)
Muslim world-West ties: Need for new approach
Maha Akeel I Arab News
AN explosive device here or a suicide bomber there and the
victims are innocent bystanders, most of them Muslim, with mayhem and
destruction all over the place. This is the situation you find in some parts of
the Muslim world today.
In addition, there are self-proclaimed "jihadists" who have
an extremely distorted understanding of jihad. There are also fanatics who take
the law into their own hands and act as judges and executioners in the name of
defending Islam.
Whenever terrorist acts occur, whether by organized groups or
individuals, the West calls on moderate Muslims to speak up and act. They
sometimes even accuse the Muslim political and religious leaders of giving
"legitimacy" to these extremists by their silence.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Muslim governments,
political and religious leaders as well as organizations such as the
Organization of the Islamic Conference have all repeatedly and unequivocally
condemned terrorist acts, especially those perpetrated in the name of Islam.
After all, these terrorists have done more harm and damage to the image of
Islam and provide ammunition and justification for those seeking to malign our
faith.
Yet, Western media rarely highlight actions by the Muslim
world in fighting terrorism and extremist ideologies. The perpetrators of
terrorist activities and the minority who support them have narrow interests
and political agendas that have nothing to do with either Islam or the welfare
of Muslims. Western media should stop attaching the description "Muslim" to
them because by linking the terrorist acts to Islam, the media bestow upon them
a legitimacy they do not deserve.
At the same time, the world leaders need to be honest about
the circumstances that lead to and nourish such extremist ideologies. Whether
it is failed states or failed policies, governments need to reassess the
situation and devise appropriate measures to deal with the situation. The root
causes of the problem might be underdevelopment, corruption, and injustice,
which means dealing with the issue from a socioeconomic point of view instead
of relying on military force. Educating and raising the awareness of the local
communities about the true Islam is also important to win their support in the
fight against extremism and terrorism.
We must also remember that as long as there is occupation,
there will always be resistance, but this is not to deny the existence of
groups and individuals who will use the occupation as an excuse to justify
violence to further their own interests and agendas.
Meanwhile, moderate Muslims do need to take a more active and
engaging approach in explaining Islam to the West. Bombs are louder than words
and make a more interesting media story than a lecture or a conference, but a
coherent and consistent message will be resonant in the long run. Relying on
Western media is not enough because most often they will follow prescribed
scenarios and stereotypes. Many Western satellite channels have launched Arabic
versions. How many Arab or Muslim-funded channels are there aimed at the
English-speaking Western audiences?
We tend to speak to each other and raise our voices in
defending and explaining Islam when we need to be speaking to the other in a
language and style they understand and accept. How effective have we been in
using the Internet to reach out to the other through attractive and informative
English websites, blogs and online publications? How many books, magazines,
television and radio programs, and documentaries were produced in Western
languages that presented a positive image of Islam and its rich history,
culture and civilization? It is not surprising that the latest Gallup survey
showed that nearly two-thirds of Americans say they have little or no knowledge
of Islam and a majority of them dislike the faith.
Moreover, many analysts who study extremism in the West say
that Muslims there feel alienated from broader society and find it difficulty
or resist integrating, potentially becoming more vulnerable to radical ideas.
Muslims living in the West are at the frontline in presenting
Islam to their local community and many were successful in initiating projects
and programs that not only helped Muslims integrate and defend their rights but
also reach out and create channels for dialogue and cooperation. Their role is
very important in reaching grassroots communities through town hall meetings,
seminars, cultural events and joint community service programs.
Last but not least, official initiatives such as King
Abdullah's for interfaith and intercultural dialogue and the Alliance of
Civilizations as well as private sector initiatives such as the Coexist
Foundation and the Exhibition of 1001 Inventions of Islamic Heritage are the
kind of soft weapons that have the greatest effect on clearing
misunderstandings and establishing harmony among peoples. These are the efforts
that need to be promoted and highlighted instead of those beating the drums of
war and clashes.
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