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June 20, 2007

A Disheatening Journey Into Islam: 'The Moderates Are In Near Hopeless Retreat'

Topics: Understanding Islam

More Muslims have been killed by Muslims, more Muslims continue to be victimized by Muslims, and more Muslims are in danger of dying at the hands of Muslims than non-Muslims. This is a subject that demands a wider examination and attention than has been given by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. - Salim Mansur

If you're among those who expect the "milk of human kindness to suddenly start flowing" and that we can rely on the moderate voices of Islam -- with a little assist from the West -- winning out over the radicals, Tony Blankley's piece at Real Clear Politics suggests you should forget about it.

In quoting Professor Akbar Ahmed, former Pakistani high commissioner to Britain and member of the faculties of Harvard, Princeton and Cambridge, current chair of Islamic Studies at American University - "who is in the front ranks of what we Westerners call the moderate Muslims, who we are counting on to win the hearts and minds of the others," he writes that "Due to both misjudgments by the United States and regrettable developments in Muslim attitudes, "The poisons are spreading so rapidly that without immediate remedial action, no antidote may ever be found."

And he says that Dr. Ahmed has always been an optimist:

Although I dissent from several of Dr. Ahmed's characterizations of the Bush Administration, Washington policymakers and journalists should read this book because it delivers a terrible message of warning both to those who say things aren't as bad as Bush says, and we can rely on the moderate voices of Islam -- with a little assist from the West -- winning; and for those who argue for aggressive American action to show our strength to the Muslims (because, in Bin Laden's words, they follow the strong horse).

To the first group he says that the "moderate" voice is in near hopeless retreat across the Muslim world. Don't count on them. To the second group he says, whatever Bush's intentions, our aggression only strengthens our enemies.

I think he knows his solution is forlorn: "Although the planet's societies are running against time ... [we must] transcend race, tribe and religion and cherish our common humanity, every individual must become the message." Let us pray.

... These are grim times, but we must resist indulging ourselves in hopeful fantasies. Every piece of our national security calculations must be realistically assessed against the available facts. What is working, what isn't, what to do?

Posted by Richard at June 20, 2007 6:33 AM

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Comments

Posted by: Althor at June 20, 2007 9:50 AM

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