Almost a year has passed since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, but we are still facing its repercussions in one form or the other around the world. Ever since the attacks, there has been a qualitative change in US policy toward the Middle East region. Events have revealed both the hidden agenda that American leaders have in their minds and their hidden policies toward the Islamic world.
Today this enmity has taken the shape of strategic reports to confront the Islamic world. The report by Laurent Murawiec, an analyst from the private Rand Corporation, is a striking example. The report has been presented to the Pentagon as a comprehensive study on the future moves to be taken toward the region. The study was prepared at the request of the US Defense Department.
The Pentagon as well as the US State Department have quickly distanced themselves from the explosive document, which clearly shows a malice toward the Islamic world and exposes the real face of US leaders and its institutions. What should not be ignored is the fact that the report came from an important institution, which conducts strategic military studies for the government.
The Rand report was the climax in a year of US political and media campaign against Islam and those Muslims who abide by its fundamental teachings. What is presented in the Rand report is a direct attack on the fundamentals of Arab and Muslim societies. It urges our leaders to control the religious commitment of our people. The report again shows America’s ignorance of the Ummah and its adherence toward Islamic teachings. Nobody on earth will be able to fight that commitment or adherence.
The American war on terrorism has widened its scope to include our education system and US-style liberation of women. They want to control the influence of Islamic scholars, preachers and Islamic universities and reduce the number of Islamic preachers visiting abroad and stop financial aid for printing Islamic books, construction of mosques and Islamic schools abroad. It will not be easy to change these American policies, which are often adopted under the influence of major strategic organizations. The strategic alliance we have with the US looks fragile and cannot be depended on. In this situation, our leaders should depend more on their people and their potential.
We are in need of Islamic solidarity more than ever and should strengthen economic, cultural and educational cooperation. We should also focus on exchange of information, transfer of technology, joint defense and political alliance among Muslim countries to confront the challenges.
10 August 2002
