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May 3, 2006

UK: Minister Bemoans State Of Muslim And Western Relations

A report comes today from the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), carrying the comments of UK minister Kim Howells (pictured). As Iran is officially breaking international laws with its nuclear program, we have a policy of reproducing IRNA's articles in their entirety, without bothering about their copyright:

Negative images damaging West-Islam relations, says UK minister

Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells has warned that it was time to deal with the false perceptions that were damaging relations between the West and Muslim countries.

"The highly negative image which many in the western world have of the Islamic world and vice versa is obstructing political and economic development, particularly in the Middle East," Howells said.

He said they were 'sowing the seeds of mutual distrust and hatred and driving disaffected and alienated people into the arms of radicals and extremists bent on terror and destruction'.

The minister was speaking at a conference Tuesday on 'Challenging Stereotypes in Europe and the Islamic World: Working Together for Constructive Policies and Partnerships' organized by the Foreign Office's academic center at Wilton Park, south of London.

In calling for urgent actions to counter the negative perceptions that threaten to undermine mutual security and prosperity, he said that he made 'no apologies for being blunt about the extent of the challenge we face'.

"We have to act urgently if we are to bridge this divide and reverse this gulf of ignorance. If we fail I have no doubt that extremism and the violence and bloodshed associated with it will grow," Howells warned.

He said that he believed there are two central issues -- one international in areas of conflict and the other domestic, where there was the 'absence of political, economic and social opportunity for Muslims both in Muslim countries and in countries in the West'.

The minister acknowledged the decisions to intervene in both Iraq and Afghanistan were 'controversial', but argued that the reasons for action 'had nothing to do with the faith of Islam but with the political and security issues that these countries posed'.

"I genuinely understand and respect the views of those in the UK and in the international community who disapproved of the action taken. But to say that action was taken because these countries are Muslim is utterly absurd," he told delegates at the conference.

Howells referred to the conference having a focus on issues surrounding Islamophobia, particularly in Europe, saying it was right that this issue is addressed and Europe must be more open about it.

But he also said that the predominance of anti-western and even extremist preaching, literature and media, including on the Internet, across the Muslim world is deeply worrying.

But it was 'time that we were honest and not let political niceties that hinder debate or the traditional game of blaming the other serve as tired covers for the real issues', the minister, who is responsible for the Middle East said.

"Europe too needs to recognize and address its challenges, including Islamophobia and the concerns of its citizens of Muslim faith," he said, in also calling for increased interaction with Muslim communities in Europe.

Howells further suggested it should also be an 'opportunity for Muslims of Europe to open up seemingly closed communities and further engage with the currents of wider society'.

"The Muslim world can exercise its right to be critical of policies pursued by the UK, US or EU. There may be some justification," he said.

"But continuing to blame the West for all the ills of the Muslim world is an act of self-denial and contrary to the important steps that were taken by the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) last December," the minister argued.

He suggested that it was 'time for action on moderation and modernization, time to reject cultural influences or authorities that excuse inaction on human rights, time to speak out against extremism and anti-western invective'.

"It is time also to challenge those who peddle the conspiracy theories which can be so dangerous for us all and to entrench the universal principles of democracy which contribute to stable, prosperous and tolerant societies," Howells concluded.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at May 3, 2006 10:25 AM

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