Let us stipulate that everything Mr. Ahmad says is true. He is still addressing the wrong audience. While some do, most Westerners do not need to be reminded that Islam has a glorious tradition that is intertwined with the Western experience and has indelibly influenced our philosophy, science and culture. Everytime we imbibe alcohol while studying algebra, we are reminded.
It is Muslims, frankly, that need to be reminded that there is an open and tolerant tradition in the Islamic world that must be allowed to flourish if civilization there is to be saved. We have seen how the more open and tolerant tradition, respectful of the individual, triumphed over narrower strands within Christianity and Judaism. Let them find this tradition and strengthen it in the face of the narrower, backward-looking strains of Islam.
Instead of making excuses for Muslims to Western audiences, they should be demanding action against the radicals in the Islamic world. We are not the ones who need to be told Islam can be a peaceful religion - the "Arab street" is.
And even if it is not true - if Islam is fundamentally different in its approach to the power of reason and individual liberty than Christianity - they can still say it. Let them create a new dogma.
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