The ongoing controversy over whether or not Muslims should build a mosque near Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan fits conveniently into a false narrative perpetuated by biased reporting and misinformation that confrontation, not dialogue and cooperation, is the hallmark of Americas relationships with Muslim Americans and the Islamic world. It also exposes the fallacy that political correctness and pandering to Muslims are the best way to build bridges to them.
Let me say up front that I agree with those, including many Muslims, who believe that building the Cordoba House/Park51-Project mosque adjacent to the former World Trade Center complex destroyed on 9/11 is not a good idea. The pain it would cause to the families and friends of 9/11 victims and those who empathize with them would do more harm than Muslims that seek to build bridges could offset.
Americans that oppose the mosque certainly have as much freedom to speak out against it as Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and other Muslims associated with the project have to build it. Accusing people that oppose it of bigotry and political motivation where there is no such evidence is wrong.
Having said that, I believe it is unfortunate that the mosque controversy has gotten out of hand. It would have been better for everyone had this dispute not become enmeshed in U.S. domestic politics in the run-up to the mid-term elections. Whatever the truth, it too easily becomes obscured in the heat of partisan political debate.
President Barack Obamas comments to a group of Muslims during a Ramadan dinner at the White House last week, however, turned the mosque controversy into a national political issue. That certainly did him no good, and it made it more difficult for Imam Rauf, if indeed hes the bridge builder our State Department says he is, to find a face-saving way to select another location to build the mosque.
Obamas prepared remarks, widely interpreted by Americans as supporting the building of the mosque, also were widely interpreted by Muslims as chiding Americans who oppose it for their intolerance. "I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable." The backlash in America to the Presidents comments was instantaneous.
By itself, the Presidents statement might not have been so controversial; but Americans cant separate what he said at the Ramadan dinner and the approach hes taken toward Islam for the past fourteen months.
If there is a teachable moment here its that excessive, America-deprecating use of the bully pulpit in an attempt to build bridges to Muslims at home and the Islamic world at large is the wrong approach. From his June, 2009, Cairo speech to last weeks Ramadan dinner remarks, President Obama has spoken out on Americas relationship with the Islamic world in just such a manner. He has nothing measurable to show for it, however, other than polls in which nearly one quarter of Americans incorrectly believe he is a Muslim and Muslims around the world who are disappointed that he has not delivered on the implicit promises they believe he made to them.
Americas relationship with Muslim-Americans is no different than its relationship with any of its citizens. They enjoy the full benefits and protections of the U.S. Constitution, including freedom of religion and freedom of speech. There are over 100 mosques in New York City alone. Muslims are better integrated into American society than anywhere in Europe.
Americas relationships with Muslim countries around the world are more complex and multifaceted. Like all foreign relations, they are about mutual and divergent self interests. America has strong and vibrant political, economic and military relationships throughout the Islamic world. Measuring how popular America is with the Muslim man or woman on the street is quite different from how respected we are by those in positions of responsibility.
Its true that a great many Muslims didnt like George W. Bush because of the way he reacted after 9/11. Like President Harry Truman, he did what he believed was right and damaged his popularity at home and abroad. But claims about how much damage Bush did to U.S. relationships with Muslim countries are grossly overstated. At home, Bush went out of his way to tell Muslims that he respected Islam without criticizing America.
Its true that Americas support for Israel has put America in a difficult position. Most Muslims believe that Washington is too supportive of Israel and not evenhanded enough in the peace process. But our moral obligation to the Israeli people demands that we not allow those who would destroy themHezbollah, Hamas, and Iranto succeed. Nevertheless, Jews and Muslims recognize the United States is essential to a just and lasting peace.
If we truly want to maintain the bridges we have already built to the Islamic world and construct new ones, its time to place the emphasis on what America has done, imperfectly but effectively, for decadespursue mutual interests through skilled diplomatic dialogue and cooperation. And we must succeed in Afghanistan as we are succeeding in Iraq. At the same time we must avoid political correctness and pandering to Muslims. They only stifle the productive discussion and debate that will lead to better mutual understanding, build false expectations, and give extremists something to exploit.
We must both identify our enemies in the Islamic world for whom and what they areradical Islamist-Jihadists terroristsand reach out to Muslims that understand the damage Islamist-Jihadism does to Islam and the world. The most effective way to do thisand no one says its easyis through frank and honest dialogue, interaction, and understanding from the streets of Lower Manhattan to the friendly Muslin capitals of the world.
COPYRIGHT © Edward W. Ross 2010, All Rights Reserved
