RE: What if Muslim withdrew from the rest of the world?

Submitted by Brad Smith (United States), Feb 14, 2006 at 16:01

In response to Mohamed's comments that the Muslim world can live without the rest of the world while the rest of the world cannot live without the Muslims, I must say that I'm shocked by the level of ignorance one must have to support such a ridiculous idea.
First of all, taking out such a huge population of today's economy would drastically affect both Muslims and non-Muslims. Thinking it would be a one-sided effect undermines the intense complexity of today's international economy.

Secondly, while it's easy to say that Muslims can live without the rest of the world, the fact is they'd be in a horribly difficult situation. Without western aid, technology, or purchasing power the entire Middle East would go under, quickly. Saudi oil is only worth as much as it is because Americans drive those SUVs and pay for that gas. Middle Eastern countries, including Palestine receive hundreds of millions of dollars in aid annually from the west.

I've always found it ironic that those who fight against everything American (including McDonald's, Citibank, and KFC as we've seen today) use American technology to do it. They post beheadings on the Internet with their laptops, as one of many examples.
If we were divided as you suggest, Muslim's would be drastically affected while Americans would have to downsize their cars, buy smaller homes and work longer days. Nice try, but no cigar.

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