Perishing Together as Fools
The Moroccan newspaper Le Matin recently published an op-ed piece that highlights the centuries-long clash of civilizations between Muslims and the West, an on-again/off-again conflict that is once again threatening to spin completely out of control.
But the article offers a way out of the "deadlock":
The West must entirely rethink its policies toward the Muslim world. In the political realm, the West must put all its weight into finding a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. America and its allies must withdraw as rapidly as possible from Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Western media must respect the Muslim world, and in particular put a stop to all attacks on the Muslim faith and avoid equating Islam with terrorism.
As for the other side:
[T]he Muslim world must stop all acts of terrorism, for the victims are innocent and the results the opposite of those sought. It must promote democracy and economic modernization. However, priority must be given to education and economic development, this being the best means of halting the various extremist movements. The Muslim world must also open itself up to Western culture and science, which present a number of advantages.
Fair, reasonable solutions.
But as long as we continue to believe they hate us for our freedoms, and as long as they continue to believe we are godless infidels, there is no hope.
Comments
I think we all came up with those particular solutions long ago, didn't we? Hasn't done much good. Nice to see them printed and all that, however.
Posted by: Neil Shakespeare | February 9, 2006 10:24 PM
I think we do a fair job of hating people in our own country for our freedoms. We have freedom of religion, and yet the lines are constantly being pushed by those that cannot tolerate that and want to impose their theocentric view.
Posted by: Lily@LoseTheNoose | February 9, 2006 11:21 PM
You both make good points, unfortunately, because it just confirms my belief that this is not going to end well.
Lily, your comment reminded me how people try to force Intelligent Design down our throats. I'd be more inclined to believe in it if it was called something like Malevolent Design, because if human beings were designed to act the way we do, the designer is one sadistic bastard.
Posted by: abi | February 10, 2006 12:00 AM