Why do we need to kow-tow?

Submitted by Rebecca Moulds (United States), Jul 3, 2007 at 18:24

After living in two mostly-Muslim countries (Indonesia and Egypt) I have come to the conclusion that we need to re-think our approach to Islam and the difference between the radical type and the moderates, who, by the way, do exist but have been stifled either by fear for their lives or complete indifference. If President Bush had done his homework better, he wouldn't have made the statements that came about after September 11th, 2001. He was only repeating what he had been told to say and it sounded like a broken record.

Although we do need to stand against the radicals and terrorists that have grown out of this religion, the Muslims also have to finally be one voice, if they are brave enough to do this. Otherwise the majority of people, especially in this country and most of the West, will come to the agreement that there is something terribly wrong with Islam as a whole, and start grouping the moderates with the radicals. I believe this can only be achieved if we have more scholars studying the various Muslim countries and going deep into their beliefs. Perhaps the opposite is also true, that Muslims don't understand our customs, religions and freedoms. Unfortunately, it isn't just merely just a misunderstanding of cultures, but a growing lack of identity in the West.

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