14 May 2003
U.S. Muslim Leaders Discuss Bridging Gap Between America, Muslim World
(Leaders emphasize compatibility between Islam and democracy) (880) By Kathryn Schmidt Washington File Special Correspondent Washington -- Three prominent American Muslim leaders said in a May 13 program that in order to bridge the widening gap between America and the Muslim world, Muslims must understand the compatibility between Islam and democracy. During the conflict prevention and resolution program sponsored by Search for Common Ground, a Washington-based non-government organization (NGO), the Muslim American speakers described the progress being made in the region and pointed to challenges in bridging the gap between the U.S. and the Muslim world. The Israel/Palestinian conflict is a major barrier to improving perceptions and relations between the U.S. and Muslim people, each participant said. Radwan Masmoudi, founder and president of the Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID), said that he was encouraged to see that the Administration had a road map for peace in place, and that while it is certain there will be obstacles on the way, it is a step in the right direction. Some Muslim people perceive the United States to be in support of dictatorial regimes, Masmoudi warned. However, "there are signs that this Administration is changing things," he noted. In order to close the divide between America and the Muslim world, Muslims must have a clear understanding of a true democracy, Masmoudi said. He said his center focuses on the fundamentals of a democracy, which, he said, are compatible with Islamic beliefs: elected government with independent branches, separation of powers, freedom of religion and expression, and protection of minority rights. "If Muslims think they have to choose one or the other, they will always choose Islam," said Masmoudi. Many people in Arab countries are skeptical of democracy because they have only read about it, Masmoudi said. "Muslim Americans are at the forefront of this struggle," he explained. "We are doing our best to promote the fact that Islam and democracy are compatible. This process takes time." Citing a recent speech by President Bush in South Carolina, Masmoudi said he agreed with the Administration's view on the need to advance freedom in the Middle East and in the Muslim world. Masmoudi quoted a passage from Bush's speech: "We support the advance of freedom in the Middle East, because it is our founding principle, and because it is in our national interest. The hateful ideology of terrorism is shaped and nurtured and protected by oppressive regimes. Free nations, in contrast, encourage creativity and tolerance and enterprise. And in those free nations, the appeal of extremism withers away." "That is exactly what I am talking about and I couldn't agree more," Masmoudi said. Masmoudi made several recommendations for the United States to promote democracy: do not support dictators; insist on political, not just economic, reforms; allow moderate Islamic parties to participate; ensure Iraq becomes a real democracy so that people will have a model to see and emulate. Masmoudi said that bringing democratic reform to the Muslim world also brings hope. "Hopelessness is at the root of terrorism," Masmoudi said. "Muslim young men 18-30 have just gotten a degree, yet they have no job, no wife, they can't rent an apartment, they can't have a normal life. This lack of dignity and freedom is at the root of violence and extremism," Masmoudi added. Along with reform comes the need for information, both in the United States and the Middle East. Nihad Awad, co-founder and executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), says his group has done its part to bridge the gap by conducting an information campaign in the United States. "The chief challenge is ignorance, not malice or hostility," Awad said. By providing educational information to schools, law enforcement organizations, employers and other groups, CAIR hopes to prevent discrimination and cut through stereotypes. Awad said that in the past nine years his group has succeeded in getting the Muslim community engaged with the broader American society, but this success is being threatened after 9/11. "There is a feeling in the Muslim community that they are under siege since 9/11," Awad said. "What happens to Muslims in America determines the perception of the U.S. by Muslims abroad." Azizah Al-Hibri, professor at the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond, and founder and executive director of KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights agrees that since 9/11 things have changed for American Muslims. Al-Hibri said before 9/11 her group was feeling very hopeful about the future and making headway in promoting the rights of Muslim women. After 9/11, "it's much more difficult to get the same reception," she said. Al-Hibri said that the need to respect all faiths, especially after 9/11, is an extremely important message to convey. "President Bush has repeatedly said that Islam is a religion of peace," she explained. "It is important that people hear this message." Masmoudi, Al-Hibri, and Awad all agree that American Muslims have a major role to play in bridging the gap. "We live in this country and we know what democracy really is," Masmoudi explained. "We are the de facto ambassadors for democracy." (The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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