Islam and the West: Annual Report on the State of Dialogue

<strong>Islam</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>: <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on <strong>the</strong> State of Dialogue
136
Annex 1: Public Opinion on <strong>the</strong> State of Muslim-<strong>West</strong> Dialogue
The Centrality of Respect
At <strong>the</strong> heart of <strong>the</strong> tension between <strong>the</strong> two civilizations is this simple finding: most of those in non Muslim-majority
countries believe that <strong>the</strong> Muslim world does not respect <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>, while most of those in Muslim-majority nations
believe that <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> does not respect <strong>the</strong> Muslim world. The latter are more likely to feel <strong>the</strong> Muslim world is
committed to improving <strong>the</strong> interaction between <strong>the</strong> Muslim <strong>and</strong> <strong>West</strong>ern worlds than residents of <strong>West</strong>ern nations
are to say <strong>the</strong> same about <strong>the</strong> commitment of <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>ern world to such improvement.
The quality of interaction between <strong>the</strong> Muslim <strong>and</strong> <strong>West</strong>ern worlds is important to most respondents in all nations,
regardless of <strong>the</strong>ir relative optimism or pessimism in response to o<strong>the</strong>r questions in <strong>the</strong> Gallup Muslim-<strong>West</strong>
Dialogue Index.
Finally, <strong>the</strong> global diversity of Muslims is reflected in meaningful variances in <strong>the</strong> data across Muslim majority
countries in Asia, <strong>the</strong> Middle East <strong>and</strong> North Africa when it comes to <strong>the</strong>ir relationships with <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>.
Muslims’ perception of being disrespected is often understood in <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> as a cultural issue, one to be avoided
through inclusive language <strong>and</strong> not giving offence. However, our analysis uncovered a great deal more complexity
behind this apparent public relations problem. In many cases, what Muslims mean when <strong>the</strong>y say, “more respect”
is “better treatment,” which means a change in policy, not just language. For example, here are some verbatim
comments from different Muslim respondents regarding <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>and</strong> its interaction with <strong>the</strong> Muslim world:
“They should consider us humans <strong>and</strong> should end war <strong>and</strong> be at peace with Muslim World.”
-ArespondentinLebanon
“Their belief is ‘torture people, especially if <strong>the</strong>y are Muslims’.” -ArespondentinPakistan
“Stop war with Arabic people <strong>and</strong> respect civilians… in Iraq especially.” -ArespondentinMorocco
“What I resent most is that <strong>the</strong>y bully small countries such as Iraq <strong>and</strong> Iran.” -ArespondentinMalaysia
Ironically, although American public diplomacy efforts have focused largely on portraying American values <strong>and</strong>
lifestyles in a positive light, <strong>the</strong> positive perception of American principles may actually contribute to a sense of
disrespect among Muslims. When asked what quality <strong>the</strong>y most admire about <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>, respondents in Muslim
majority nations are most likely to cite technological advancement, followed by political freedoms such as
democracy, sovereignty <strong>and</strong> responsive government 14 .
Many Muslims also associate a “fair judicial system” <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> idea that “citizens enjoy many liberties” with <strong>the</strong>
<strong>West</strong>, especially <strong>the</strong> United States. At <strong>the</strong> same time, majorities contend that <strong>the</strong> United States is not serious
about supporting democratic forms of government in <strong>the</strong>ir part of <strong>the</strong> world. The espousal of democracy
combined with support for dictatorship in <strong>the</strong> Muslim world may be perceived by many as a sign of disrespect.
This is one more example of <strong>the</strong> need to place issues of dialogue <strong>and</strong> respect within a broader political <strong>and</strong>
geopolitical context.
14 Dalia Mogahed, <strong>Islam</strong> <strong>and</strong> Democracy, www.Muslim<strong>West</strong>Facts.com