Dalia Mogahed: I guess I would go back to the idea that my world is the world of perception.
I guess I’ll answer it this way: How are America’s actions perceived? And then therefore: How are they affecting the issues?
Many of America’s actions are definitely perceived very negatively. And in some cases, like the abuses of Abu Ghraib, and the reported abuses in Guantanamo are directly feeding into the perception that America is at war with Islam. The war in Iraq, likewise, is also being perceived very negatively by Muslims at large.
So there is a lot that America can do to counteract some of these perceptions. In some cases, there will be no way to counteract the perceptions, and there will have to be discussions about whether or not policy needs to change on the ground.
One of the most important first steps toward that peace is just simply understanding the point of view of Muslims. Where are they coming from, and how are they perceiving America’s actions? Right now, I feel that there is too much talking and maybe not enough listening of the point of view of Muslims. And more of an emphasis needs to be put on understanding rather than trying to get Muslims to understand America’s perspective. That is counterproductive. Unless Muslims feel validated by being understood, it’ll be very difficult for them to be convinced of anything America has to say.
I have no reason to believe that no matter what there will be problems in the Middle East, simply because the Middle East was a place of relative peace for hundreds of years. So I don’t think there is anything about the region that genetically makes it prone to violence or conflict.
But I do think that certain geopolitical realities make conflict more likely in the Middle East for several reasons; but all of these things; it is possible to work past them and to make the Middle East a place of stability and peace.
Recorded on: July 3, 2007.
Discuss
Peter Seal on January 9, 2008, 4:33 PM
a reasonable description of a large part of the problem. no more.
Peter Seal on January 9, 2008, 9:33 PM
a reasonable description of a large part of the problem. no more.
Tim Ray on January 11, 2008, 5:36 PM
This brings to memory a conversation I had, I am an American, while living in Mexico at a restaurant. My Mexican friends were quick to point out their history with America. The Mexican-American war, lands lost and other points when America had involved themselves into Mexico. I told them for all of our differences we were very much alike. We persecuted native populations, treated those with African heritage as less than human and everything America had done to Mexico it had done to Guatemala. The Apaches of Southern Arizona (Geronimo especially) raided Mexico because the Mexicans persecuted them as well as native populations in Texas and California. So what does all this mean? Rather than share a past….let us find a future together. We need to stop listening to the voices of hatred and find peace….and that means us of good will must make our voices heard and that we will no longer support hatred.
Tim Ray on January 11, 2008, 10:36 PM
This brings to memory a conversation I had, I am an American, while living in Mexico at a restaurant. My Mexican friends were quick to point out their history with America. The Mexican-American war, lands lost and other points when America had involved themselves into Mexico. I told them for all of our differences we were very much alike. We persecuted native populations, treated those with African heritage as less than human and everything America had done to Mexico it had done to Guatemala. The Apaches of Southern Arizona (Geronimo especially) raided Mexico because the Mexicans persecuted them as well as native populations in Texas and California. So what does all this mean? Rather than share a past….let us find a future together. We need to stop listening to the voices of hatred and find peace….and that means us of good will must make our voices heard and that we will no longer support hatred.
Norman Powell on January 16, 2008, 5:00 PM
Perception is reality in most cases. Muslims around the world percieve Americans who diregard their beliefs and customs while imposing a western philosophy.
I think that our government has lost sight of the true values of what it means to be American. In many cases it has corrupted those values to support its own agenda.
Do you really think that we would be in Iraq today if it didn't control a huge chunk of the world's oil supply?
I think it is important for the next U.S. administration to repair the damage these Wild West Cowboy politics has created and begin to listen to countries that disagree us. The negative perception will change when we stop thinking that every country has to agree with us and begin to develop a conversation which helps create solutions to difficult problems.
Norman Powell on January 16, 2008, 10:00 PM
Perception is reality in most cases. Muslims around the world percieve Americans who diregard their beliefs and customs while imposing a western philosophy.
I think that our government has lost sight of the true values of what it means to be American. In many cases it has corrupted those values to support its own agenda.
Do you really think that we would be in Iraq today if it didn’t control a huge chunk of the world’s oil supply?
I think it is important for the next U.S. administration to repair the damage these Wild West Cowboy politics has created and begin to listen to countries that disagree us. The negative perception will change when we stop thinking that every country has to agree with us and begin to develop a conversation which helps create solutions to difficult problems.
Chris Rieth on January 21, 2008, 1:08 AM
Honestly it doesn't really matter how we perceive each other. Muslims think they are right in their beliefs and I guess some of "the West" thinks they are right in theirs but both have to accept that neither have unlocked the secret of the universe or the ideal way of living. I think that if we are to live together we have to work through our prejudices, mix together and get on with things.
This is all about oil anyway. "The West" wouldn't give a damn about the Islamic nations if they weren't sitting on vast oil fields. The framing is this whole Islam v. "The West" but what it's really about is that "The West" wants "Islam"'s oil. It makes this conflict all the more depressingly inevitable.
Chris Rieth on January 21, 2008, 6:08 AM
Honestly it doesn’t really matter how we perceive each other. Muslims think they are right in their beliefs and I guess some of “the West” thinks they are right in theirs but both have to accept that neither have unlocked the secret of the universe or the ideal way of living. I think that if we are to live together we have to work through our prejudices, mix together and get on with things.
This is all about oil anyway. “The West” wouldn’t give a damn about the Islamic nations if they weren’t sitting on vast oil fields. The framing is this whole Islam v. “The West” but what it’s really about is that “The West” wants "Islam"’s oil. It makes this conflict all the more depressingly inevitable.
Gordon Divitt on July 23, 2008, 12:58 PM
While true this is a little trite as it fails to recognize the hypocrisy existent in all debates of this nature.
For example it is standard practice in every Muslim country in the World to subject prisoners to torture and abuse but locals are typically too intimidated to make any protest – even if it should become public knowledge. Of course the minute the free Western Press exposes a situation in its jurisdiction the righteous are quick to condemn.
Having said that the West and Muslim countries need to have open dialogue based on the truth but is it likely – not in my opinion based on historical norms.
Gordon Divitt on July 23, 2008, 4:58 PM
While true this is a little trite as it fails to recognize the hypocrisy existent in all debates of this nature.
For example it is standard practice in every Muslim country in the World to subject prisoners to torture and abuse but locals are typically too intimidated to make any protest – even if it should become public knowledge. Of course the minute the free Western Press exposes a situation in its jurisdiction the righteous are quick to condemn.
Having said that the West and Muslim countries need to have open dialogue based on the truth but is it likely – not in my opinion based on historical norms.
Add a Comment
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register