Islam and/in the West

JEDDAH—THE revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt provide examples of largely peaceful transitions of power after decades of unflinching authoritarian rule. Yet change in these and other Arab countries caught the world by surprise.

Talk of an “Arab Spring” has dominated Western media and political debate for months now. But there is no guarantee that such transitions will have peaceful outcomes. Indeed, the current situation in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen is extremely worrying, and finding workable political solutions in these countries will challenge not only the Muslim world, but also the West and the entire international community.

It would also be wrong, however, to define the relationship between the Islamic world and the West solely in light of today’s Arab mass movements. There is another aspect to the relationship: Islam in the West—that is, issues concerning Muslims living within Western societies, particularly Europe.

A report published in May 2010 by the Council of Europe, entitled “Islam, Islamism and Islamophobia in Europe,” recognized that Europe has been home to Muslims for many centuries, and acknowledged the contribution of Islamic civilization to European culture. Yet, as the report also noted, Muslims in Europe today feel socially excluded, stigmatized and discriminated against. Indeed, they have become victims of stereotypes because of their religious and cultural traditions.

A rising tide of Islamophobic rhetoric can be seen in Europe’s mainstream media and among its political parties: for example, the Danish People’s Party, the Dutch Freedom Party, the French National Front, the Swiss Peoples’ Party, the English Defense League, the Italian Northern League and the Austrian Freedom Party. Similar parties exist or are emerging elsewhere in Europe.

This situation only serves to remind us of the inadequate knowledge among many Europeans of the common roots and historical connections linking the Islamic world and the West. It is also indicative of the need for new relationships based on understanding, tolerance and respect for cultural diversity.

According to the Pew Foundation Forum’s September 2010 report on Religion in Public Life, Western Europe’s Muslim population totals more than 17 million. In countries like Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland, Muslims comprise 5 percent or more of the population. They must be supported and encouraged to play their full role in both community and public life.

As the world’s second largest intergovernmental organization, the Organization of the Islamic Conference is committed to cooperating with the international community to promote and consolidate global peace, stability, harmony, security and development. As I have stressed on many occasions, the OIC is guided by the principles of moderation and modernization. The OIC’s basic documents, such as its Ten Year Program of Action and its new Charter, provide a visionary road map to meet the challenges facing Islam in the twenty-first century.

Diverse cultures should complement and enhance one another. Tolerance, stability and prosperity are nurtured only when communities and cultures communicate and respect one another. To speak out against Islamophobia is not to negate the existence of hatred against other religions, and we Muslims must extend our hand in cooperation to counter anti-Semitism, Christianophobia and misperceptions about Western culture.

We must not be hostages to our extremists. As the entire international community is fighting radicalization and terrorism, we firmly believe that this effort must be part of an overall endeavor aimed at building a better world, based on cultural diversity, in which human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedom are properly respected.

When Barack Obama became President of the United States, he promised a new chapter in relations between the Islamic world and the West. In his first overseas visit as President, speaking in the Turkish Parliament, he said:

“The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam …. America’s relationship with the Muslim community, the Muslim world, cannot, and will not, just be based upon opposition to terrorism. We seek broader engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect. We will listen carefully, we will bridge misunderstandings and we will seek common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. We will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over the centuries to shape the world—including in my own country.”

Although there have been many obstacles on the road to good relations, this year could provide a unique opportunity to forge a new discourse of tolerance and understanding between the peoples of the Islamic world and the West. We may have to look to the Muslim communities within Western societies to provide leadership and direction for the future. More opportunities for broad and deep encounters between Muslims and non-Muslims must be developed and sustained, at both the individual and institutional levels. In light of the potential for a new climate of political openness in Muslim-majority countries, these encounters may be more possible than ever before.

Most importantly, committed organizations and individuals must unite and mobilize to isolate the extremists, and remain united in working to develop the culture of tolerance and respect needed to ensure the full enjoyment of our rights. That is the only way forward for the Islamic world and the West—and for Islam in the West.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is secretary general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.