Optomists and Marine 'T' shirts - The balance!

Submitted by Andy Stephenson (Kazakhstan), Jun 2, 2005 at 01:37

Sir,

Subject - 'Jihad through the ages' - Cook.

A good piece, extremely well written, concise and full of sound observation. However, I am not sure where it takes us.

With regard to Cooks observation that............

" The excessive form of jihad currently practiced
> by Al-Qaeda and others could.... lead to its "decisive rejection" by a
> majority of Muslims. Jihad then could turn into a
> non-violent concept.
>
> The great challenge for moderate Muslims (and their
> non-Muslim allies) is to make that rejection come
> about, and with due haste."

One wonders whether the chap isn't being a little overly generous. Perhaps his glass is half full rather half empty.

Bush and others may, however, take the view that the Muslim world needs a bit of positive encouragement to "To turn Jihad into a non violent concept."

It's the old message on the US Marines 'T' shirts in Vietnam days: "Let us win your hearts and minds - or we'll burn your f****** huts down!"

Who's right? Where's the balance, do we cross our fingers and hope for the best? Or do we offer 'proactive encouragement' and thus face the risk of persuading some muslims of the virtue of violent Jihad?

Andy Stephenson

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