Where are the Moderate Muslims?

I have often mentioned that strengthening the moderate Muslims is one of the most important aspects to winning the global war against Islamic fundamentalism. Recently one of our readers, Barry, questioned if these moderate Muslims actually exist. He speculated that their silence was not so much an anomaly but rather a form of tacit support for the barbaric acts that are carried out in their name.

Until now there was little evidence to test this frightening theory. However, last week the Pew Research Centre released a survey of the attitude of Muslim’s around the world towards the West and terrorism. Muslims in 10 different countries (5 Muslim majority, 5 non-Muslim majority states) were polled. I have highlighted some of the more interesting findings.

Prevalence of conspiracy theories
Leftists repeat ad nausea the mantra that we must address the ‘the root cause’ of Islamic terrorism. While their intention is surely to justify these heinous acts by blaming them on western militarism and economic imperialism, conservatives should nevertheless not shy away from this debate.

 

There is a vast amount of evidence to suggest that a culture of victimhood and an inability to accept their civilizational decline is at the core of the flock to fundamentalism. The prevalence of conspiracy theories attributing all evil to Jews and the West through the Muslim world is indicative of the extent of this phenomenon.

The Pew Poll found that in 9 out of the 10 Muslim communities surveyed a majority believe that 9/11 was NOT carried out by Arabs. In Britain only 17% believed Arabs were responsible. It’s mind boggling.

Support for terrorism

The extent of the moral support for terrorism in the Muslim world is also worrying. Muslims were asked if violence against civilian targets to defend Islam can be justified. While the majority in 7 out 10 communities replied never, there would still seem to be millions of Muslims, many who live within Western countries, who endorse the actions of Al Qaeda (for example 35% of French Muslims). Nigerian Muslims are the most extreme with just under 70% supporting suicide attacks. (I know where I won’t be going on holiday any time soon.)

Support for democracy
Surprisingly the vast majority of Muslims, despite their anti-Western sentiments, believe that democracy can work well in the Muslim world. Muslims living in undemocratic states are by far the most enthusiastic. These figures go a long way to supporting Nathan Sharansky’s view that the Arab world is primed for a democratic revolution. But, as a self confessed neo-con, I am troubled by the fact that in the 2 Muslim countries that have had the greatest experience with democracy (Turkey and Pakistan) there is significantly less support.

Conclusion
There are many moderate Muslims who oppose terrorism and wish to live in free and democratic societies. Unfortunately support for extremism is also strong. We do have a constituency within Islam to work with. We just have to empower them to act.

Comments

[Trevor]

http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/001170.html

Well Totten seems to have found one.

Your graphs from Pew are simply mind-boggling!

[Mike]

Thanks Trevor. Thought that article was very interesting.

The Kurds have long been a force of religious moderation in the Muslim world. Unfortunately I don’t know how globalised their interpretation of Islam is. There is talk on the fringes of the American administration about establishing an independent Kurdish state in Northern Iraqi if the civil strife continues. Many believe it could serve as a model of how democracy and Islam can co-exist. Don’t know if Arabs will buy into that.

There is an interesting debate of what model moderate Muslims should use to establish democratic societies. Bernard Lewis is a huge proponent of the Turkish model (secularism). There are others who argue an Islamic and democratic state is also possible. The Kurds would seem to be championing this approach. Honestly I am a little more sceptical of the latter.

Ultimately, the West needs to support all moderates (religious or secular). They need to become the political icons of our age. Unfortunately how many moderate Muslims can you name? This is my passion and I would struggle to name more than 10.