Reflecting on 9/11: What the Muslim World needs to do

In a previous article, I examined how well the US was accommodating Muslims both inside and outside of America on the ninth anniversary of 9/11. At the same time, we should also reflect on how the Muslim World has been responding to the US.

A bit of history again
Except for naval confrontations with Barbary Pirates in North Africa in the early 19th Century, the US had little to do with the Muslim World until the mid 20th Century. After World War II, the discovery of huge oil deposits, establishment of Israel, and threat of Soviet involvement there brought America in headfirst.

At first, the US sometimes blundered, lacking the expertise of Europeans who had had ties with North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia for centuries. This legacy lingers: For instance, there are still insufficient numbers of Arabic, Farsi, and Afghan-languages speakers in the State Department and intelligence agencies, and according to a recent ABC Nightline lead story, the US military still depends on native-speaker translators of dubious quality.

Today’s apparent impasse
Yet as the US approach toward these regions has matured and has quietly extended beyond containing terrorism—and Americans at home have been making a greater effort to understand Muslims and Islam.

Unfortunately, both sides seem to have reached an impasse this year as shown by reactions to the Christmas Bomber, Fort Hood Massacre, and now the vandalism of a mosque in Kentucky and the construction of another near Ground Zero, not to mention Pastor Jones’ threat to burn the Holy Koran.

When President George W. Bush visited the Washington Islamic Center on September 17, 2001, he expressed how far Americans had evolved in their approach to the Muslim world despite the 9/11 terror attacks. He explained that the angry reactions toward the Muslim World did not reflect the sentiments of the government or most Americans--and that the vast majority respected Muslims and their faith.

Furthermore, he emphasized that “Ours is a country based upon tolerance ... And we're not going to let the war on terror or terrorists cause us to change our values."

Most Americans still feel this way today, but much more progress is needed. According to a recent Time-Abt SRBI poll, nearly nine years after the 9.11 attacks, 46 percent of Americans still believe Islam is more likely than other faiths to encourage violence against nonbelievers, and only 37 percent know a Muslim American personally. In addition, one in four Americans believe that Muslims are not patriotic Americans, with another 21 percent are not sure.

The good news to emerge from the survey is that these issues have motivated more and more Americans to follow news related to the Muslim World: 68 percent are following this issue very (32%) or somewhat closely (36%).

Breaking the impasse: Reciprocity in the Muslim Worlds
If most Americans are willing, if grudgingly at the moment, for Muslims to worship the way they please and where they please, then the US government must insist that Muslim countries allow their religious minorities to do the same.

If Muslim-Americans face little discrimination according to the latest hate-crime statistics, then Muslim-majority governments can cease the official and unofficial persecution of non-Muslim minorities as is currently taking place in Egypt, Iraq, and Iran. And if Americans can curb vandalism of houses of worship and book burnings, then Islamic governments can reciprocate. Finally, if America’s treatment of Muslims can come under such heavy scrutiny in the media, then the Muslim World must be held accountable for incidents of religious intolerance, as Amnesty International details each year.

The Taliban demolished a pair 6th-Century Buddhist statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, in 2001. Were their or their Saudi and Pakistani backers’ feet ever held to the fire of public opinion?

Solutions at home and abroad
The fringe hate groups in America and in the Muslim World have received a lot of media attention lately. Yet in the US they have mostly followed the rule of law. In the Muslim World, unfortunately, the so-called peaceful majority and their clerics have not spoken out convincingly. They have not convinced the American public that their efforts to distance themselves from Al Qaida and other terrorist organizations are serious or effective. Nor have they unequivocally opposed terrorist acts. American Muslims could serve as a bridge to these moderate groups.

In addition, American Muslims must make a greater effort to integrate into American society and avoid high-profile actions or pronouncements. American Muslims could clear the air with a formal declaration of gender equality followed by assurances that they will respect freedom of speech as well as the separation of church and state.

Instead of building a new mosque near Ground Zero, why don't all concerned build an interfaith center.  9/11 affected people of all faiths--and will continue to do so.

If you seek additional perspectives on the Muslim World, in particular the events taking place in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula, check out Bill's other stories at Examiner.com.