Empowering moderates is not a new thesis...

Submitted by Amjad M Khan (United States), Sep 12, 2002 at 00:58

Empowering Muslim moderates is not a new and novel concept. This notion has been understood for decades. Moreover, I disagree with the assessment that moderate Muslims are disorganized. A close look at the oppositional movements in Iran and Iraq in particular reveal considerable resource management and strategic, organized movement. Islamists in power in Iran and Iraq suppress these movements rendering them demoralized, but not necessarily disorganized. American policy needs to be shaped in a way that empowers Muslim moderates from within. I think for Bush to thrust Iran in the "axis of evil", for instance, did a disservice to the moderates there that worked painstakenly to amass political clout.

Amjad M. Khan
Cambridge, Mass.

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".