US, Muslims in "Clash of Ignorance"
Sada Cumber, the first-ever American envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), believes the reason behind the widening gap between the United States and the Muslim world is ignorance of each other.
"People talk about clash of civilization, and I say there is really no clash of civilization but rather a clash of ignorance," Cumber, who was appointed to the post last March, told IslamOnline.net in an exclusive interview.
He would be the envoy to the 57- nation group for the remaining six months of President George Bush’s term.
Cumber is tasked with improving the image of the United States in the Muslim world.
* Listen to the interview
The Pakistan-born business tycoon, who swapped Karachi for Texas 31 years ago, believes that ignorance and misperceptions pose as threats to the US-Muslims relation.
"Some of those perceptions do not have any basis," he insists.
"It is more about ignorance. This ignorance comes from the two societies.
"For example, during my recent tours in Muslim countries, someone has asked me whether America wants to change Qur'an."
Cumber, however, acknowledges that other factors, including controversial terms US officials have been using and which Muslim find offending for linking their faith to terrorism and violence, share some blame for worsening relations.
"There is a clear message in the administration now that terms like Islamo-fascism and Islamic terrorism are no more part of its vocabulary."
President Bush upset many Muslims in August 2006 by linking Islam with fascism.
Since then, his administration officials have used variations of the term "Islamo-fascism" to describe groups including al Qaeda, its allies in Iraq and even the Lebanese resistance movement Hizbullah.
But Cumber insists that America has a deep respect of Islam and sees his appointment as "the opportunity" to show that.
"One of my tasks is to listen, especially in the areas the US may want to respond.
"If there are misperceptions, and there are, then it is important to know how to clear them out."
Before Cumber, the US has never had a diplomat dedicated to dealing with the world's pan-Muslim organization, created in response to a Jewish arson attack on al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine.
The 38-year-old OIC is now the second-largest international organization in the world, second only to the UN.
Engage
Cumber strongly believes that the US and the West in general are not on a collision course with Islam.
"The West and the Muslim world are actually in sync.
"I can not comprehend why we have this discourse between Islam and the West when we have values that are in sync so much," says the American envoy.
"It is just that there were so many misperceptions recently that can only go if we are engaged, and I think that is my role."
Bush's OIC envoy notes he has been working in the past months to achieve that goal.
"In the past three months I have been travelling country after country for that cause to dialogue, to clarify these misperceptions and have a better understanding," he recalls.
"I have also presented to the OIC a memorandum of understanding that the US is prepared to engage with the OIC in regard with resources and expertise.
"What we suggested is that the US facilitates some of the initiatives that the OIC has taken on its own, which includes science and technology, enhancing the status of women and enhancing the areas of education and health."
Washington is also suggesting to work with the ten least developed Muslim nations.
"We want to establish and install digital libraries, work with universities, [and] make people have access to publications, data and expertise in science, technologies, [and] entrepreneurship."
Cumber insists it is important to establish knowledge-based societies in Muslim nations.
"Once we have proper knowledge about each other we will be able to see each other with tolerance and respect."
US Muslims
Pakistan-born Cumber says one fundamental part of his mandate, besides improving US-Muslim relations, is to represent American Muslims.
"As an American Muslim myself, I'm not just representing the US government but also American Muslims."
Cumber insists that US Muslims, estimated between 6 and 7 million, wanted to have a voice in the world's biggest Muslim body.
"It was important for us to have voice in what happens in the Muslim world because we want to be engaged not only as a government but also as a very strong American Muslim bloc."
For Cumber, who came to the US 31 years ago and became a US citizen in 1986, the Muslim American community serves as a good model.
"Muslim Americans combine the values of the US society with the ethics of Islam.
"US Muslims enjoy a free society and privilege to practice our faith, and the freedom to free speech."
A number of polls have indicated that many Americans became suspicious of Muslims, particularly after the 9/11 attacks.
Many US Muslims have also complained of an erosion of their civil rights after 9/11, taking the brunt of the Patriotic Act and other anti-terror laws.
But Cumber insists that Muslims are well integrated in society without any restraint put on them because of their religion.
"Look at my family, we are practicing Muslims. My children practice Islam every single day.
"Muslims are successful doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs."
He admits, however, that there are some concerns, like the problems Muslims face at airports.
"I have been discussing this with the Homeland Security officials to mitigate this."
But for Cumber, despite these challenges, the US is still the land of opportunities for Muslims from around the world.
"It’s a land of immigrants and it is going to stay that way.
"I always say that the soft side of America is much better than the hard side."
IOL.net
He would be the envoy to the 57- nation group for the remaining six months of President George Bush’s term.
Cumber is tasked with improving the image of the United States in the Muslim world.
* Listen to the interview
The Pakistan-born business tycoon, who swapped Karachi for Texas 31 years ago, believes that ignorance and misperceptions pose as threats to the US-Muslims relation.
"Some of those perceptions do not have any basis," he insists.
"It is more about ignorance. This ignorance comes from the two societies.
"For example, during my recent tours in Muslim countries, someone has asked me whether America wants to change Qur'an."
Cumber, however, acknowledges that other factors, including controversial terms US officials have been using and which Muslim find offending for linking their faith to terrorism and violence, share some blame for worsening relations.
"There is a clear message in the administration now that terms like Islamo-fascism and Islamic terrorism are no more part of its vocabulary."
President Bush upset many Muslims in August 2006 by linking Islam with fascism.
Since then, his administration officials have used variations of the term "Islamo-fascism" to describe groups including al Qaeda, its allies in Iraq and even the Lebanese resistance movement Hizbullah.
But Cumber insists that America has a deep respect of Islam and sees his appointment as "the opportunity" to show that.
"One of my tasks is to listen, especially in the areas the US may want to respond.
"If there are misperceptions, and there are, then it is important to know how to clear them out."
Before Cumber, the US has never had a diplomat dedicated to dealing with the world's pan-Muslim organization, created in response to a Jewish arson attack on al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine.
The 38-year-old OIC is now the second-largest international organization in the world, second only to the UN.
Engage
Cumber strongly believes that the US and the West in general are not on a collision course with Islam.
"The West and the Muslim world are actually in sync.
"I can not comprehend why we have this discourse between Islam and the West when we have values that are in sync so much," says the American envoy.
"It is just that there were so many misperceptions recently that can only go if we are engaged, and I think that is my role."
Bush's OIC envoy notes he has been working in the past months to achieve that goal.
"In the past three months I have been travelling country after country for that cause to dialogue, to clarify these misperceptions and have a better understanding," he recalls.
"I have also presented to the OIC a memorandum of understanding that the US is prepared to engage with the OIC in regard with resources and expertise.
"What we suggested is that the US facilitates some of the initiatives that the OIC has taken on its own, which includes science and technology, enhancing the status of women and enhancing the areas of education and health."
Washington is also suggesting to work with the ten least developed Muslim nations.
"We want to establish and install digital libraries, work with universities, [and] make people have access to publications, data and expertise in science, technologies, [and] entrepreneurship."
Cumber insists it is important to establish knowledge-based societies in Muslim nations.
"Once we have proper knowledge about each other we will be able to see each other with tolerance and respect."
US Muslims
Pakistan-born Cumber says one fundamental part of his mandate, besides improving US-Muslim relations, is to represent American Muslims.
"As an American Muslim myself, I'm not just representing the US government but also American Muslims."
Cumber insists that US Muslims, estimated between 6 and 7 million, wanted to have a voice in the world's biggest Muslim body.
"It was important for us to have voice in what happens in the Muslim world because we want to be engaged not only as a government but also as a very strong American Muslim bloc."
For Cumber, who came to the US 31 years ago and became a US citizen in 1986, the Muslim American community serves as a good model.
"Muslim Americans combine the values of the US society with the ethics of Islam.
"US Muslims enjoy a free society and privilege to practice our faith, and the freedom to free speech."
A number of polls have indicated that many Americans became suspicious of Muslims, particularly after the 9/11 attacks.
Many US Muslims have also complained of an erosion of their civil rights after 9/11, taking the brunt of the Patriotic Act and other anti-terror laws.
But Cumber insists that Muslims are well integrated in society without any restraint put on them because of their religion.
"Look at my family, we are practicing Muslims. My children practice Islam every single day.
"Muslims are successful doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs."
He admits, however, that there are some concerns, like the problems Muslims face at airports.
"I have been discussing this with the Homeland Security officials to mitigate this."
But for Cumber, despite these challenges, the US is still the land of opportunities for Muslims from around the world.
"It’s a land of immigrants and it is going to stay that way.
"I always say that the soft side of America is much better than the hard side."
IOL.net
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