Hello Mr. Auster

Submitted by Alain Jean-Mairet (Switzerland), May 26, 2005 at 11:07

Everything that can be done to weaken radical Islam, without killing (too many) people, sure is a good thing. So I like Mr. Auster's new propositions. But he nevertheless is wrong to think that assimilation of Muslims couldn't work or that moderate Muslims don't exist. It works and they exist as a matter of fact.

To be a Muslim is not linked to your blood or bone. The bad thing therein is the content of the Koran and tradition. Take that away from a Muslim or just avoid feeding it to him from his first years, and you'll have a regular fellow. Muslims are dangerous when they are "pious" and numerous. Dispersed and civilized, they are more than okay.

Fact is too, though, that as soon as they gather and form a community, you'll have a couple of crazy individuals among them identifying with Mohamed and the bunch will start jihadize around. Because that is in their book.

What we have to destroy is radical Islam's inspiration. And only Muslims can do that, maybe with a little help. We can argue if it can be done straight away to the core, as I would advocate, or if we have to proceed step by step. We can discuss how the West could help along this process, and much strength toward the present Muslim world sure is a central point. But we have to work *with* people, against all rotten ideologies, yes, and all fanatics, and hard at that, but *with* people.

People are okay. Basically.

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