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Political Islam in Asia

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The Asia Society

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Chapters

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58 min 53 sec

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01.: Asia Society Welcoming

08 min 00 sec

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02.: Moderator Introduction

02 min 05 sec

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03.: Masmoudi Remarks:Pro-Engagement

04 min 55 sec

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04.: Maintaining Islam &Modernization

02 min 18 sec

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05.: Dhume Remarks:Anti-Engagement

02 min 42 sec

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06.: Regressive IslamAgainst Human Rights

03 min 54 sec

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07.: Battle of Ideas

01 min 16 sec

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08.: Moderate Muslims

03 min 19 sec

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09.: Challenges toModernization

03 min 35 sec

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10.: Hamas Move toModeration

01 min 23 sec

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11.: Engaging with the ArabMuslim World

02 min 47 sec

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12.: Q & A

00 min 33 sec

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13.: Q1 - Sunni vs ShiaIslam

02 min 29 sec

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14.: Q2 - ReformingIslam & StoppingViolence

04 min 05 sec

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15.: Q3 - PeacemakingGroups

02 min 12 sec

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16.: Q4 - India's MuslimMinority

03 min 35 sec

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17.: Q5 - The SaudiDilemma

07 min 01 sec

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18.: Q6 - Ideal IslamicCountry

02 min 25 sec

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58 min 53 sec

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1 Comments

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insaan

Posts: 29

Posted: 05.18.07, 04:55 PM

Handling Political Islam

The breakup of the Soviet Union was brought about by the free use of Afghans/ other Muslims as warriors. In order to achieve their goal, Reagan Administration influenced most of the Muslim dictators to reinforce the fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 80's. He even compared the ‘Mujahideen leaders' to the Founding Fathers of the US who were fighting for a righteous cause. “Jihad” was eulogized as the ultimate virtue and thousands of ‘Madrassas' were opened all over the Muslim world.

Unfortunately whatever goes around comes around. So OBL, who was the great warrior of 80' felt frustrated by the US response after becoming the only superpower. The rest is history which we have lived through.

In Muslim countries extremism was, generally, shunned till it received patronage by the US with an axe to grind in Afghanistan. Even now, the people are, generally, aghast at the mess created in Iraq/ Afghanistan which have surrogate govts supported by the foreign troops. The indiscriminate bombings/ lawlessness in both the countries is swelling the ranks of the ‘terrorists' who claim to be fighting the ‘occupation.'

If history is any guide, the Afghans, generally, do not forget wrongs done to them for, at least, a century. The country suffered terrible devastation during the war against the Soviets. It has further been smashed by the last war in 2001 since the Afghans have no air-force etc. If reconstruction had followed the model of the Marshal Plan, the unlucky country could have seen the demise of Taliban as a step in the right direction. However, as war-lords hold sway, to whom governance appears to been out-sourced by the US, most of the Afghans are now turning against the it. No wonder Taliban have resurfaced and their operations are threatening the occupation troops.

Dhume' approach would ensure that whatever goodwill is left among the Muslims for the US evaporates. Threats and bluster can be useful to beguile the public which does not know, generally, the ground realities. No body' interest would be served by upping the ante vis-�*-vis Muslims. Even George Bush has been using the right rhetoric in such matters. If the US can stay constructively engaged without acting the Big Brother, it can win back the majority of Muslims. Thereby the extremists would be sidelined and we can look forward to having security for all.

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