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
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Introduction
dominant position of <strong>the</strong> United States framed
critical political questions in 2006-2007. How
to achieve a just <strong>and</strong> sustainable peace in <strong>the</strong>
Middle East? How to end <strong>the</strong> war in Iraq <strong>and</strong>
maintain stability in <strong>the</strong> region? How best to
combat terrorism <strong>and</strong> advance <strong>the</strong> cause of
democracy <strong>and</strong> human rights around <strong>the</strong>
world? How to limit nuclear proliferation? How
to create <strong>and</strong> sustain a just international legal
regime that respects <strong>the</strong> national interests of
both <strong>the</strong> weak <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> strong?
This report notes acrimonious exchanges
around <strong>the</strong>se <strong>and</strong> related questions, but also
highlights efforts to bring people toge<strong>the</strong>r in a
cooperative spirit to discuss <strong>and</strong> debate policy
challenges <strong>and</strong> advance solutions in practice.
It also examines how <strong>the</strong>se dialogue efforts
are portrayed in <strong>the</strong> media <strong>and</strong> public opinion.
“ The promise of a world of
peace <strong>and</strong> prosperity will
depend as much on our norms
<strong>and</strong> principles as upon formal
rules <strong>and</strong> institutions. Universal
principles inform basic ideals
of universal bro<strong>the</strong>rhood <strong>and</strong>
compassion for all humankind…”
HRH Princess Lolowah
Citizenship <strong>and</strong> Integration
In <strong>the</strong> context of globalization, with its
increased migration flows, issues of citizenship
<strong>and</strong> integration have moved up <strong>the</strong> Muslim-
<strong>West</strong> agenda. Growing Muslim minorities in
<strong>West</strong>ern Europe <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> United States are
playing increasingly active roles in civil society
<strong>and</strong> government. At <strong>the</strong> same time, some
Muslim majority countries are facing an influx
of new people <strong>and</strong> cultures. Different societies
are grappling with <strong>the</strong> same question: how
best to combine national identity <strong>and</strong> social
cohesion with respect for minorities?
This report details government-sponsored
efforts to bring Muslims <strong>and</strong> non-Muslims
toge<strong>the</strong>r, in <strong>West</strong>ern Europe in particular.
It also covers dialogue efforts centred within
civil society in o<strong>the</strong>r parts of <strong>the</strong> world. Public
opinion <strong>and</strong> media analysis both highlight <strong>the</strong>
salience of <strong>the</strong> integration issue, particularly
in <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>ern European context.
Religion, Ethics, <strong>and</strong> Ideology
Many dialogue initiatives aim to fur<strong>the</strong>r
underst<strong>and</strong>ing around basic religious, ethical
<strong>and</strong> ideological issues. Knowledge of <strong>the</strong>
basic tenets of <strong>Islam</strong> <strong>and</strong> its teaching on basic
ethical questions remains weak in <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>ern
world. Conversely, Muslims often lack a basic
underst<strong>and</strong>ing of Christianity, Judaism <strong>and</strong>
<strong>the</strong> secular ideologies that first emerged in
<strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong>. Critical questions at issue include:
When is violence justified? Are <strong>the</strong>re
permissible limits to freedom of speech or
freedom of religion? What are <strong>the</strong> rights of
women? How can traditional views of
community be reconciled with global trends
towards democracy <strong>and</strong> individualism?
Dialogue that focuses on <strong>the</strong>se questions has
taken place primarily in interreligious forums
<strong>and</strong> in academic settings. They have revealed
divergent areas of difference <strong>and</strong> commonality,
as well as varied responses to <strong>the</strong> critical
issue of whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>and</strong> how to bring extremists
into <strong>the</strong> conversation. Media surveys <strong>and</strong>
public opinion also highlight a wide range of
positions on <strong>the</strong>se issues.