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May 09, 2005
Islam and the U.S., again
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an entry on the conference "Democracy and global Islam" organized by the IGS and other institutions at UC Berkeley, that gathered a number of experts, academics and government officials.
During this day-long conference, among other interesting themes, Bruce Cain, Director of the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, challenged speakers at one of the panels on the influence of social problems in European countries -mostly the conflicts due to religious differences- on America. "Is the U.S. paying the price for cultural problems lived by Europeans?"
Gunter Mulack, a high official from Germany, responsible for dialogue with the Muslim community, disagreed. For him, it is true that Europeans have lived a number of issued related to the Muslim community but "as Europeans, we believe in soft power", he said.
Mr. Mulack explained that for him, U.S. foreign policy created problems and "injustice, very much felt in the Muslim world". "The decision to occupy Iraq and the way the war was conducted in Afghanistan created a huge feeling of humiliation for Muslims".
Humiliation creates frustration. Frustration creates rejection. But surprisingly, the rejection in this case is only about one aspect of the U.S.: its politics. "The Americans are responsible for the outcomes of their own policy" said Mr. Mulack.
French scholar Olivier Roy replied saying that "radicalisation is a result of deculturation, not of the policy in the Middle-East". But for Mark Levine, Professor at UC Davis, Muslims' attitude towards America is to be seen beyond cliches and stereotypes. What was interesting for him was to see how Muslims around the world adapt the American culture to their everyday. Who would guess for exemple that on "Mecca Avenue" in Damas, you would see a huge advertisement for TV show "Sex and the city"?
Posted May 9, 2005 10:41 PM
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