“Journey into
Islam” Launched at Prestigious Institutions
By Craig Considine
Washington, DC
Launching
of ‘Journey into Islam’ at the Saban Center
for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institute.
Professor Akbar Ahmed is seen seated second from left |
To
say that the tumultuous relationship between the West and
the Muslim world needs an injection of enlightenment is
an understatement. The War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan,
the rise to power of Islamic fundamentalists in Sudan, and
the ethnic conflict in Chechnya are just a few examples
of the rise in global tensions surrounding the Muslim community
and the uncertain role of the United States as a part of
the solution, or part of the problem.
World leaders must take a step back from the political spectrum
of international affairs and make the necessary anthropological
and sociological investigation into misunderstood areas
to search for understanding and common ground. The US in
particular needs daring individuals to exhibit the courage
and patience to carefully and clearly hear the ordinary
voices of the Muslims world and to directly and honestly
witness their anger and frustration. This journey and these
human emotions were experienced by Professor Akbar Ahmed
as he and his team of young Americans commenced their journey
into the heart of Islam.
Journey Into Islam is a new book published by the
Brookings Institution Press about a unique expedition to
nine different nations in the Middle East, South Asia and
into Southeast Asia. Two leading Washington DC institutions
recently invited Ahmed to launch his new book and to anchor
panel discussions with overflowing crowds. On two separate
but related events at the Brookings Institute and at the
Washington National Cathedral, prominent leaders throughout
the community attended Ahmed’s launch and emerged
with an enlightened sense of truth, compassion and hope
after coming to better understand the worldwide Muslim community.
Ahmed was joined at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy
at the Brookings Institute by Ambassadors, Congressman,
professors, businessmen and young Americans. At the outset
of his journey, Ahmed realized that the best ambassador
for the US is the young generation because they hold the
keys to a peaceful future. The large and vibrant group of
attendees engaged in an enthusiastic dialogue regarding
the past and present relationship between the West and Islam.
Steve Grand, the Director of the Project on US Relations
with the Islamic World, moderated the session. He praised
Ahmed for “taking us on a fascinating and exceedingly
educational tour of the Muslim World”. Grand said
the book is “an usual, compelling…comprehensive
book”. After his introductions, Grand gave way to
the distinguished panel.
Congressman Keith Ellison’s appearance at the launch
of this book was particularly noteworthy as he is the first
Muslim congressman ever elected to serve on Capitol Hill.
Ellison thanked Ahmed “for your excellent book and
your work to advance human knowledge and understanding.
A very important, a very timely work, and I applaud you
for it.” In commenting on his reflections of the book,
Ellison agreed with Ahmed that the Muslim world feels vulnerable
but that American Muslims are pleased with the US society
and for their future in their country.
Ahmed’s insightful suggestions for new policy initiatives
and his team’s rejection of all previous stereotypes
about the Muslim world were encouraging words for Dr. Stephen
Cohen, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. Cohen
lauded the method of the study and called the result “the
ultimate journey or road book” adding that the book
really penetrates to…the core of the civilization,
a very complex civilization”. For Cohen, Ahmed’s
anthropological journey should be the norm rather than the
exception when trying to better understand a culture that
is not American. He concluded that Ahmed’s book should
be read by all US policy makers and that anthropological
studies should play more of a role in analyzing the Muslim
world.
The third and final member of this event that was lucky
enough to experience the breakthrough that Ahmed has encountered
for US policy makers was His Excellency Ambassador Aziz
Mekouar of Morocco. Ambassador Mekouar felt extremely encouraged
by Ahmed’s findings and believes that the book itself
is extremely interesting for American citizens because “it
goes against all the negative stereotypes that have run
rampant regarding Muslims in the post 9-11 era.” His
Excellency spoke of his friendship with Ahmed saying, “We
have known each other for five years since I arrived here
and I immediately appealed [his] thoughts in what he writes.”
In dealing with international affairs surrounding the Muslim
world on a daily basis, His Excellency believes that this
book is the best approach to understanding the feelings
of Muslims worldwide. He concluded his thoughts by praising
Ahmed for opening an important avenue of bridge building
and that the book has created a bridge between the West
and the Muslim world. It is now simply our obligation to
cross it.
The events that unfolded at Brookings could play a role
in revolutionizing policy ideas when the US deals with the
Muslim world in the future. In contrast to the discussion
at the Brookings Institution that focused on policy and
international relations, the Washington National Cathedral
held a book launch focused on more spiritual matters. The
contrast between these two events was evident but the similarities
were still clear. Just as it was at Brookings, this discussion
was filled with hope for a peaceful future between the West
and Islam. Joining Ahmed were his two good friends, Senior
Rabbi Bruce Lustig of the Washington Hebrew Congregation
and Bishop John Chane of the Washington National Cathedral
and moderator Reverend Canon John L. Peterson from the Center
of Global Justice and Reconciliation at the Cathedral. Over
the years, these three figures have represented their own
faiths in public interfaith dialogues but have also built
an extremely tight bond together that serves as an inspiration
for all.
Canon Peterson’s opening comments about Ahmed’s
books gave evidence to the timely manner of the release
of Journey into Islam. Peterson stated that the
book gives a “fresh perspective of the misunderstood
religion of Islam.” To Peterson, Ahmed’s voice
in the book is gentle, calm and is filled with wisdom and
hope. In this imbalanced world where globalization has created
a much smaller and faster paced world, the book gives a
vision of a global community where all humans can engage
in dialogue to solve their discrepancies.
Ahmed’s latest book serves as an idea for other Americans
to do what Ahmed has done: search for understanding other
cultures rather than colliding with them on a consistent
basis. Rabbi Lustig believes that Ahmed, who he called “a
brilliant anthropologist and my teacher and friend”,
has written a “fascinating” book that is a “valuable
tool to shorten the distance between the West and the Muslim
community.” If we do not break the barriers between
the West and the Muslim community, Lustig believes that
people will continue to live in fear and will continuously
worry about the future of their children.
The sense of a true bond in friendship between Ahmed, Lustig
and Chane was evident as they joked with one another throughout
the night. When the Bishop began speaking, it was obvious
that both Ahmed and Lustig truly appreciated and understood
his meaningful words of wisdom. To Chane, Journey Into
Islam offers hope and peace to members of the Abrahamic
tradition in their broken relationship. For Chane, Ahmed’s
book is a “powerful statement about hope for the future”.
He concluded by stating that “all people must accept
the book because it serves as a gift to learn about the
Muslim world in an unprecedented manner.”
At the outset of both of these magnificent and inspiring
events, several common themes emerged. The most important
theme that was felt by each and every panelist after reading
Ahmed’s book was the great sense of responsibility
to engage with the Muslim world in search for understanding
and knowledge. The second theme was the true power of a
Muslim, Jew and Christian coming together in peace in the
National Cathedral for Christians to flirt with the idea
of religious tolerance, compassion, and more importantly,
peace.
Also present at both events were Ahmed’s team of young
Americans who traveled with them. At the National Cathedral,
Frankie Martin, Hailey Woldt and Jonathan Hayden were asked
to come onto the stage to enthusiastic applause. Ms. Woldt,
on behalf of the entire team which also included Hadia Mubarak,
thanked Ahmed for being “a father and friend to each
one of us”.
On a touching note, two of the parents of members of Professor
Ahmed’s team were able to listen to these three religious
figures discuss the idea of coexistence. Mrs. Zuckerman,
mother of a member of Ahmed’s team Lauren, was literally
moved to tears, like many others in the audience, due to
the power and the scale of the event. Never before has she
ever listened to such powerful figures discuss ideas like
peace and hope. Terry Woldt, on the other hand, was the
father of Hailey Woldt, a research assistant that journeyed
with Ahmed and featured in the book. Terry was awestruck
at the thought that young Americans and students of Ahmed
have the ability to change the world as we know it. Ahmed’s
book is one that touches the heart of every human soul,
regardless of affiliation. It forces one to search their
soul of compassion and truth. When one is finished with
the book, he is almost certainly to feel enlightened at
the thought that compassion and friendship, rather than
guns and bombs, can solve the problems of the world.
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