Make Friends with Muslims, Not with Their Rulers

Summary

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Rapid population growth makes it hard for Muslims to prosper economically. In the past it was possible for the rich to overlook poverty. Not anymore. The internet, media and new modes of transportation have converted the world to a "village." There is no more world security without "neighborliness."

Consider what the American University of Beirut (AUB) has done to generate a wealth of good will between the Arabs and the West. I am a graduate of this institution of cultural exchange. It is on this campus where I learned to appreciate my Christianity, love Islam and defend America. AUB has trained several hundred thousand leaders for the Arab and Muslim world since its inception in 1 866. The cost of supporting AUB over the past 140 years is equivalent to what the U.S. spends in Iraq in two to three months.

Diaspora Muslims are natural agents of intercultural exchange with the West. The open political environment is likely to give the overseas Muslim community opportunities to contribute innovative political ideas to the home country. Since industrialized nations will continue to need the labor of overseas immigrants, Muslim communities in Europe and the U.S. will expand. The Diaspora can accelerate the dialogue with host societies if they are properly approached. Immigrants will moderate if embraced with friendly public policies. Islam in the West is an "experiment;" with our attitudes we can help shape it.

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Make Friends with Muslims, Not with Their Rulers

The West has to learn how to cultivate relations with Islam. The affluent world must take into account the demographic, economic and political realities of Islamic societies. To deal with growing violence the industrialized countries must partner with Musl...

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