The Divide Between Islam and The West
Over the last few years, the simmering discontent among the world’s Muslim community at actions taken by the West in the fight against terrorism is because of the perception that it was aimed directly against them. This has slowly as a consequence given way to unbridled anger and animosity. The tragedy of 9/11 acted as a catalyst that triggered a series of events that not only tarnished the image of Muslims but also of Islam. With almost one-fifths of the world’s population of 6.5 billion, after 9/11 Islam became projected as a radical faith whose followers were highly intolerant of all other faiths and ideologies. Muslims were branded as fanatics, an image shaped by the extreme actions of a miniscule minority that exists on the fringes of religious societies of all ilk. Neither Islam nor the muslim world is seen as it should be according to the progressive values of the faith. Islam is not a radical faith – this is patently false and erroneous. The progressive values of the faith are quite different from what the world hears today. Islam preaches tolerance, leniency, love, forgiveness and understanding etc. Muslims in general have not committed any transgressions, the sins of a handful of terrorists of Osama bin Laden’s terror network are being visited upon their Muslim brethren. Concurrently the popularity of the USA has taken a severe beating, becoming the focus of muslim anger despite being in the forefront of giving aid and lending a helping hand to the world’s deprived and the prosecuted irrespective of caste, creed, religion or any other consideration. Muslims now view the USA with suspicion and hostility because the policies being pursued by the US seem to be singularly insensitive to muslim sensitivities. Thankfully, US President Bush now seems to have taken note of the situation and is making an effort to bridge the gap.
