Prof Akbar S Ahmad urges Americans to understand Islam
Pakistan Times Staff Report

WASHINGTON (US): Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed, a noted anthropologist and scholar has stressed the need for Americans to understand Islam, "because its best friends and the worst opponents are both Muslims."

He was addressing a gathering of educationists, scholars, religious leaders, politicians and think tanks on the occasion of launching of his two books: "Resistance and Control in Pakistan," and "Postmodernism and Islam."

Of American Media

Prof. Akber regretted that American media was hammering the Muslims, "all the time in their negative aspects." The U.S. media must recognize and portray the facts, in true perspective.

Dr. Stephen Cohen from the Brookings Institution, Professor Sulayman Nyang from Howard University and Anwar Sadat Professor Shibley Telhami from the University of Maryland were the other speakers.

Karzai and Musharraf's Role

Akbar said President Pervez Musharraf and President Hamid Karzai were fully supporting the war on terror.

"Can you imagine conducting this war on terror on the eastern frontier, without President Musharraf and without President Karzai," he asked, and replied: "I don't think, it will last 24 hours without these people on the ground supporting America in the way they have."  "And, this has to be recognized," he stressed.

About mainstream U.S. media, he said, "I would like them to picking up the fact the Muslims are also behaving boldly and putting their lives on the line for the United States and their alliance with America."

Assassination Attempts in Pakistan

He stated that the President of Pakistan was "almost assassinated," and referred to the several attempts on his life; campaigning prime minister-designate was almost killed three weeks ago, chief minister of Balochistan and a Corps Commander faced threat to their lives.

Obviously, he said "Something is happening in the society" in Pakistan, and added "there is a debate and struggle going on within  the Muslim society." "We cannot accept the view that America has a monolithic Muslim world- that is just not true," he stated.

Islam and Muslims

Prof. Akbar said, Islam is a civilization of 1.3 billion people and is growing. There are 7 million Muslims living in the United States, he said, adding "we need to understand them, we need to nurture them, we need to treasure them- for they are the best ambassadors for America in the Muslim world."

At this time, he regretted, "they continue to be marginalized, paranoid, and fearful. They have to be brought into the mainstream  and they have to be made to feel that they are part of the society," underlined it. He hoped the two major parties of America "are listening to them." He said there are 57 Muslim states, "so, you cannot simply dismiss them."

More Knowledge on Islam

He asked noted Muslim scholars, like Dr. Suleyman, to assail baseless claims and asked by acquiring more knowledge of Islam, the Americans can have a better grasp of the religion.

"We (Muslims) are aware of the Judaic and the Christian traditions. For us, the figures of Moses (Hazrat Musa A.S.) and Jesus (Hazrat Isa A.S.) are highly highly highly revered, and loved figures in Islam. We need non-Muslims to understand Islam."

Muslim Community in US

Responding to a question by a noted leader of the Republican party, he stressed both Republican and Democratic parties' leaders to reach out to Muslim community- "since, it's a difficult time for the community."

He asked leaders like Imam Bashar to come forward and contribute towards the cause of representing the community. "They have to really reach out the mainstream Americans, to explain, in a sense, engage with many of them on these stereotypes." "It's not a question of prejudice, it is a question of knowledge, and this knowledge can be provided by the Muslim community's leadership."

He stressed the need for Muslim leadership to be much more active, and much more visible, and they need to redouble their efforts- specially in this post-September 11 world, we are living in."

He said there is general apprehension in the Muslim community, in the U.S., and the majority certainly need to reach out the Muslim community and calm their fears. For young kids who are born in America, he said, they are growing up here, and suddenly they feel disenfranchised as to what is their identity. Certainly, their identity has been challenged, or is being reformed. It is necessary for the mainstream American leaders to give them assurance.

Eminent Leaders

He referred to the eminent leaders of South Asia, such as, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Gandhi, who were in the forefront to assert their moral authority in calming down Muslims and Hindus, in the case of conflict situations, during the time of partition of the sub-continent.

"I would like to hear the President of the United States make such a statement like this. I would like Senator Kerry making that statement. Reach out to the community-because, there is disaffection and need to now heal the wound," Prof. Akbar said.

Dialogues

To a question, he said, 'ijtihad' has all the importance in Islam, and its doors remain open.

He referred to the vital need for inter-faith dialogue, and referred to his dialogue with Judea Pearl, father of slain Wall Street Journal newsman, Daniel Pearl.

Prof Cohen for US role

In response to a question, Prof. Cohen urged the need for the United States to play a more active role between India and Pakistan for resolution of Kashmir issue.

He said, while U.S. is playing a role in Afghanistan to fight against terrorism, but it is playing no role in India and Pakistan, other than impressing need for peace and dialogue.

Dr Nyang wants US out of Iraq

Dr. Sulayman Nyang, to a question, said that it was imperative that the United States finishes the task in Iraq, and its forces leave Baghdad because analysis suggest, it is not bringing any good name to it. Instead, its presence in Iraq, he pleaded, was only adding to anti-American feelings.

Jona Blank, a noted leader of the Democratic Party, was also present at the event.●