JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Last month the United States Congress passed a resolution to: (1) Acknowledge the religion of Islam as one of the great religions of the world. (2) Express friendship and support to Muslims in the United States and the world. (3) Acknowledge the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan for fasting and spiritual renewal and express respect for Muslims in the United States and the entire world. (4) Reject hatred, bigotry and violence aimed at Muslims in the United States and around the world. (5) Commend Muslims in the United States and around the world who have rejected interpretations of Islam by Islamic movements that justify and encourage hatred, violence and terrorism.
It is quite heartening that this decision was taken unanimously, and by a group that represents the American people. Passed by the US House of Representatives on Oct. 2, 2007, the resolution was introduced by Texas Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson and sponsored by 30 additional legislators, including the first Muslim elected to Congress, Keith Ellison.
This is not the first resolution reflecting the position of the US Congress towards Muslims. A previous resolution was passed on Sept. 14, 2001 – three days after the 9/11 attacks – warning Americans against blind bigotry that does not differentiate between mainstream Muslims and those who have selected the path of violence and destruction. The speed with which that resolution was approved indicates that Congress recognized the potential ramifications of the 9/11 attacks for Muslims.
Benchmark resolutions such as these open channels for dialogue between the West and the Muslim world. Establishing public standards for religious respect and tolerance cannot be undertaken by a single party, otherwise such initiatives would be doomed for failure at the outset. The issue requires everyone, especially Muslims, to grab all opportunities to engage in dialogue and entrench its values on the basis of mutual respect for the benefit of human beings, wherever – and whomever – they may be. After all, religion seeks to enhance the benefit and well-being of people.
The media should consider this initiative as an opportunity to invite members of Congress to write opinion articles and/or comment on television and radio to convey their views on this matter to the world. The world should know that the United States, or the melting pot as it is often called, is not made up entirely of neo-conservatives. Rather, it is a vast and diverse country that allows its citizens the pursuit of happiness.
Consultative counsels and parliaments in Arab and Muslim countries should also celebrate this step by Congress, express their gratitude and appreciation, and open the doors for additional initiatives that promote respect among the followers of all religions. Such activities will ultimately call for addressing issues of injustice, aggression and human rights abuses by political entities. A brave and long overdue stance against violence and prejudice must be taken.
Some may expect the Consultative Council in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take a step in this direction, especially since many of its members are prominently active in local, regional and international dialogue and have successful track-records in management, leadership and politics.
Other such steps should be taken by the Islamic World League, the International Symposium of Muslim Youth, the Organization of Islamic Conference and other similar organizations. The time has also come to discuss the phenomenon of terrorism in greater depth and to work together to eradicate its roots.
This Congressional resolution can serve as a foundation of mutual respect upon which those with wisdom and vision can build. The world is becoming increasingly tense, and at the same time it is getting smaller due to advancements in communication technology. Wisdom dictates that we must take the opportunity to respond to any and all gestures that resolve to uphold justice and equality for all. There is no better opportunity than this.
Saad Al-Ghamdiis a Saudi writer. This article is distributed by the Common Ground News Service (CGNews) and can be accessed at www.commongroundnews.org.
