Journey into Islam

Townhall ^ | 6.20.2007 | Tony Blankley

[Utah Girl]

I have just finished reading a deeply disheartening book by my friend Professor Akbar Ahmed. Dr. Ahmed is the former Pakistani high commissioner to Britain and member of the faculties of Harvard, Princeton and Cambridge, current chair of Islamic Studies at American University -- and is in the front ranks of what we Westerners call the moderate Muslims, who we are counting on to win the hearts and minds of the others.

I first met Professor Ahmed shortly after Sept. 11. He, his friends and I broke bread several times and discussed the condition of Islam and the West. He graciously agreed to share a stage with me at the National Press Club to debate with me the merits of my book, "The West's Last Chance: Will We Win the Clash of Civilization?" As my book was very harshly received by many Muslims around the world, I don't doubt that Dr. Ahmed shared that stage with me at some risk at least to his reputation -- if not more.

(snip)

I think he knows his solution is forlorn: "Although the planet's societies are running against time [we must] transcend race, tribe and religion and cherish our common humanity, every individual must become the message." Let us pray.

But for those of us who don't expect the milk of human kindness to suddenly start flowing, it behooves us to read Professor Ahmed's honest assessment of the real state of Muslim world attitudes and coldly re-assess our various policy prescriptions in its light.

These are grim times, but we must resist indulging ourselves in hopeful fantasies. Every piece of our national security calculations must be realistically assessed against the available facts. What is working, what isn't, what to do?

[BamaGirl]

Muhammad said the the world would end in the year 1011.

In a way I think it did, for his followers..

[goldstategop]

There's not much we can do about the violent fanaticism emanating from the Muslim World except to aggressively repel when it threatens us, contain it where we can and overthrow it where the opportunity presents itself.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[fatez]

No, I am not advocating true isolationism, but more of a Teddy Roosevelt policy (speak softly, carry a big stick). I am a huge supporter of Israel, we should back our friends as much as possible. In regards to your the victor will then turn to us, I mean simply let kill each other for as long as they want. Maybe the women will eventually get fed up with it and start to force real change. But until then, we should be viligant, and not choose any sides.