An Opinion Poll Of The Beliefs Of Muslim Leaders

Submitted by Joel Benjamin (United States), May 24, 2003 at 10:19

Mr. Hussain Haqqani - Thank you for your well-reasoned article entitled, "Where's the Muslim Debate?".

If people were blowing up babies and saying that they were doing so in the name of Jesus, can you imagine that the entire Christian community would be silent and not condemn the terrorists as misrepresenting Christian beliefs? A large part of the Jewish community too is quick to condemn acts of violence committed by people who claim to be doing it in the name of Judaism.

The silence of the Muslim community regarding acts of terrorism committed in their name is, in effect, an opinion poll of the beliefs of Moslim leaders.

Your article and its suggestion for raising the level of discourse within the Muslim community is the first sign of hope that I've seen for a long time that Muslim attitudes may change. But one intelligent, courageous man may not have a great deal of influence on the larger Muslim community. I hope that your insights will gain a great following - yet I fear that they won't. Good luck to you in your efforts at raising the level of discourse.

After you have raised the level of discouse on this subject, I hope you will work to raise the level of political discourse in America up from the level of shrill sound bites.

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