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

Preface
<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 Preface
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Preface
John J. DeGioia, President,
Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Today, dialogue at <strong>the</strong> intersection of
<strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Muslim world is a
vital <strong>and</strong> exp<strong>and</strong>ing enterprise at <strong>the</strong>
international, national <strong>and</strong> local levels. But our
knowledge of its evolving contours remains
inadequate. <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 aims to elevate <strong>the</strong>
global visibility of dialogue efforts <strong>and</strong> to promote
greater underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> cooperation at a
critical juncture in history.
This report is designed to be a global reference
for leaders across multiple sectors, including
government, business, media, education, civil
society <strong>and</strong> faith communities. It seeks to
advance communication <strong>and</strong> promote colla-
boration around global challenges, including
combating extremism <strong>and</strong> violence, building
peaceful <strong>and</strong> vibrant civil societies, <strong>and</strong>
fur<strong>the</strong>ring economic <strong>and</strong> social development.
<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 also includes an in-depth
analysis of public opinion <strong>and</strong> a detailed
assessment of trends in media coverage
across 24 countries.
The explosion of dialogue initiatives in <strong>the</strong>
years since 9/11offers much hope – but also
presents a picture of some confusion.
Political leaders routinely refer to <strong>the</strong> importance
of better ties between <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Muslim
world, lacing <strong>the</strong>ir speeches with calls for greater
intercultural <strong>and</strong> interreligious underst<strong>and</strong>ing.
International, national <strong>and</strong> local dialogue
initiatives range from long-term efforts with a
global scope to pragmatic responses to specific
community problems. At <strong>the</strong> same time, media
coverage of issues at <strong>the</strong> intersection of <strong>Islam</strong>
<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> has surged.
Unfortunately, <strong>the</strong> proliferation of dialogue
efforts has had a disappointing impact so far.
Monologue often dominates over dialogue.
Initiatives <strong>and</strong> programmes often compete <strong>and</strong>
overlap. Awareness of parallel efforts is weak
<strong>and</strong> opportunities for synergies are missed.
The media <strong>and</strong> public opinion focus too often
on violence <strong>and</strong> terrorism <strong>and</strong> reinforce
polarised perspectives <strong>and</strong> crude stereotypes.
The fragmentation <strong>and</strong> low visibility of dialogue
efforts is exacerbated by deep-seated <strong>and</strong>
long-st<strong>and</strong>ing knowledge gaps, evident at <strong>the</strong>
level of international diplomacy, as well as in
national <strong>and</strong> local affairs.
Many dialogue efforts are designed to demystify,
enlighten <strong>and</strong> build knowledge of <strong>the</strong> unfamiliar.
O<strong>the</strong>rs seek out areas of common ground
anchored in core religious <strong>and</strong> civic values.
Some involve pragmatic, material efforts to
identify <strong>and</strong> help address specific problems.
Common to many of <strong>the</strong>m is <strong>the</strong> vision of a
common future grounded in ideals of equality
<strong>and</strong> respect.
In mapping <strong>the</strong> many different kinds of dialogue
unfolding around <strong>the</strong> world, this report
emphasizes <strong>the</strong> diversity behind <strong>the</strong> terms
“<strong>Islam</strong>” <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> “<strong>West</strong>”. If <strong>the</strong> <strong>West</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>
Muslim world were coherent, self-contained
entities, dialogue would be impossible. Because
<strong>the</strong>y intersect <strong>and</strong> overlap in multiple ways,
dialogue presents an opportunity.