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

However, a better future for Muslim-<strong>West</strong> relations at a
global level <strong>and</strong> within national societies depends on more
than dialogue. It dem<strong>and</strong>s progress on outst<strong>and</strong>ing conflicts,
including an Israeli-Palestinian peace that combines security
with self-determination. It also dem<strong>and</strong>s greater stability,
prosperity <strong>and</strong> democracy throughout <strong>the</strong> Middle East,
Africa, <strong>and</strong> South, Central <strong>and</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asia.
AbetterfuturenecessitatesequalcitizenshipforMuslims
<strong>and</strong> non-Muslims in Europe, North America <strong>and</strong> around
<strong>the</strong> world, marked by broad-based economic growth,
upward mobility <strong>and</strong> access to education <strong>and</strong> healthcare.
Dialogue is no substitute for political leadership <strong>and</strong> practical
problem solving. But <strong>the</strong> dialogue efforts outlined in this
report – efforts oriented to action around social, political
<strong>and</strong> economic agendas – have a vital, still underappreciated
importance. Dialogue can increase knowledge <strong>and</strong> trust,
point to both commonalities <strong>and</strong> differences, <strong>and</strong> frame
joint efforts to address <strong>the</strong> pressing global challenges of
<strong>the</strong> new millennium.
<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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