Dear Zakaria
In IE i use to gulp down your articles.
I am proud of your bolness and honesty.
Have you maried the girl, you are sharing your toilet with.

May your tribe increase

Pawan
Yamunanagar,India

Khokar says:
"And if these myths happen to be religious myths like in Judaic and Christianity [3];...."

It is truly astounding to hear a Muslim speak of Christian and Jewish myths when an even casual reader of the Muslims bible, the Quran, would learn that it is, besides encouraging sedition against those who do not believe in Muhammad as a prophet, is but a compilation of myths gathered from many other pagan religions. The sorry state of affairs of Muslim societies today did not happen by simple chance but the result of their believing in those myths.

"One side is talking the language of freedoms and rights. The other side is talking the language of respect for the sacred."

Unless you are using them for some alterior motive other than creating positive interaction among peoples, aren't these the same thing?

Khokar ends his long boring babbling by stating what he really wants conveyed, which is summarized by his last sentence .
“The absurdity, to monopolize the deity of God to remain confined to the bounds marked by Myths of Christianity; Jesus is found elevated to the status of God hence, the salvation of all the people rests with Jesus only.”

His Quran states that Jesus is the Word of Allah and of His Spirit. In another place it states that Jesus will be the judge on Judgment Day. This is the description of Allah or has this been abrogated also?

It is the Enigma of Fear at work

For last about a decade or so we all find our self putting up against a phoney Global War against Terrorism, where Western Forces with their might and savagery are all out and in action in Muslim World to conquer an unspecified imaginary enemy. After wandering for several years and with no achievements at hand; the act of western oppression forces has become a matter of contention. The masses in the west as well as in the Muslim world are ghastly deluded as the so called atmosphere of fear and terrorism has since been breeding in their cultures all the times. Western media remains very busy in creating division of cultures and is starkly putting ‘us’ against ‘them’.

‘Beneath the myriad reasons for these appears to be a fundamental inability of people whose beliefs vary to understand how the other side thinks and feels. ‘We have here a dialogue of the deaf, although paradoxically both sides share the same motivation: fear.’

Western culture and public discourse has become so secularized in recent generations that there is little comprehension of people whose religion holds a central place in their lives and identity. European nation-states were constructed through centuries of struggle and conflict in which religious differences and oppression were often explosive. People today fear that they are in danger of losing what was won with so much suffering: their freedoms and their collective sense of identity.

Behind these fears lie the rapid changes of globalization, the uncertainties of geopolitics and seeing the failure of re-run of old colonial type schemes by the west to subjugate the defenceless in Middle East and grab their economic resources through ‘fallacy and deceit’ that these plans now lay exposed and frustrated. At home in Europe the fears focus on immigrants and ethnic minorities - which in many places mean Muslims and unfounded fear of ‘expected retaliatory reprisal’ from them.

Any demand from Muslims to have their right of religion recognised is seriously interpreted as a threat to the hard-won rights of freedom of expression. Those who feel threatened fear not just the small Muslim minorities in Europe - in most countries less than three percent of the population - but also the hundreds of millions of Muslims beyond their borders in the broader Muslim world, where the so-called "new enemy" is to be found.

Many parts of the Muslim world also fear uncertainties such as globalization, international instability and, closer to home, unemployment and arbitrary governments - not to mention random violence. But there the fear is focused on the heirs of the old imperial powers: the West, which is again seen as wishing to dominate and thus undermine Islam. In response, respect for the religion and its symbols becomes a central focus.

One side is talking the language of freedoms and rights. The other side is talking the language of respect for the sacred.
--------------------------
Love for all, Hatred for None

Dear All,

We need to under stand Islam. The first and foremost will be that we should bear in mind that Islam has not come as rival of other religions. Rather Islam confirms and validates the previous divinely teachings [1] and offers higher degree guidance in accordance with the universal divinely plans of God Almighty which has been destined for the future of the mankind. A higher education is never against the basic or primary educations [2]; rather they are interdependent in bringing the improvement and enlightenment in the society.

It has always been difficult for the humans to shed and shake the adopted myths because humans by nature love and relishes to remain restrained and bound by mysteries and illusions. And if these myths happen to be religious myths like in Judaic and Christianity [3]; it is more so difficult in leaving those self imposed mythical confinements because these myths are also influenced and rightly or wrongly, very strongly guarded by the religious zealots and their other supporting groups pursuing the vested interests.

The preset mind and preconceived ideas eventually result in creating more distances and keep us bound to the old ruts.

Let’s build the bridges; not the barriers and find the common grounds to work upon; and be watch full for the few hirelings media organisations, who are paid heftily in order to create gulfs and spread hatred between peoples.
-----------------------------
Love for all, Hatred for None

[1] Primary Teachings contained in the books of Torah, the Bible and other Holy Books of former religions.
[2] As imparted by Judaic and Christianity previously being the predecessors of Islam.
[3]The absurdity, to monopolize the deity of God to remain confined to the bounds marked by Myths of Christianity; Jesus is found elevated to the status of God hence, the salvation of all the people rests with Jesus only.

Joseph Herring,

isn't the way Mahfouz thinks very dysfunctional?

Sheez, look at me. I gotta quit writing on this stupid blog. Sorry guys for just crapping all over this page. I gotta get a job.
Have a Hoot!

Ah Wonderful Mahfouz! You're beautiful even if you are a hopeless intellectual! May you find a bit of paradise in this vastly diverse life.

Asim advises me to
"read the Holy Quran with honesty ,objectivity and an open mind-then you shall find the Truth, the only truth."
I did many times and found a book that is riddled with contradictions, false information about history, natural phenomena , human biology and theology. A book full of stories about talking ants and birds, about demons, devils, jinn and angels with thousands of wings. A book that is a compilation of legends and rituals from Persian Zoroaster ,Sabaens and Arabian pagans religions with embellished stories from the Old Testament, the Talmud and some from the New Testament. I found every page in to be an assault on human rationality and an insult to any person's intelligence.

Anonymous,
Heck don't worry about it!

Unveiled truth:
'We have lost our ability to judge between good and evil because we have bought the lie of relativism.'

Why be so negative to relativism! It could have saved your ancestors from a certain death. I am not saying they were evil, some contemporary of theirs could have.

Much like your structure of thinking, Muslim extremists vociferously oppose relativism. Relativism and individuality are the two sides of the same coin. Could it be that you do not believe in the powers of each individual! It is scary that you and the Islamists share a common thought patterns: only me is right. Nazis did too, Communists did too.

Jihadists are abominable; extremists of any stripe are jihadists

I should stop, but I have had enough. You know what? You know who you are. Don't use my name as an excuse to get what you want. Don't be such a coward as to not admit what is your real agenda. Forget claiming you are a Muslim or Christian or Democrat or Buddhist or Chinese or Canadian or Liberal or Conservative whatever BS you call yourself. I don't care. I see you all squat and crap in a hole in the ground. I don't care what religion you think everybody should be, what political agenda you think they should have, what way they should pray, what form of ridiculous government they should use, how they should cut their hair, nor what color skin you think they should be wearing. I don't care whether you have a big nasty sword or a stupid little book on your pulpit. I NEVER WILL. Shackles and Chains can not settle me. I don't care what you think, what you wear, where you shop, who you are screwing, which bleeding desert you live in, if you pray on rug, in a church, or on a mountain. You will frustrate yourselves silly trying to change what can not be changed. I am here to stay and I will keep coming back until you are all in heaven. I AM NOT ALONE THERE ARE MILLIONS OF ME. My compatriots issue forth from the gate wielding fiery swords that cut through everything. Nothing can withstand us. Your useless beliefs can not stop us from exposing your true nakedness. It is how God,Allah,Yahweh, the nameless has made us. Hear me out! We are all around you. We are washing you in the blood. Your time is running out, we are almost finished here.

Joseph Herring,

Sorry the last post was not meant for you it was meant for all those who cannot see the truth about Islam.

Joseph Herring,

Which on of the propaganda institutions educated you? You sound like a mind numbed robot regurgitating the garbage you have been fed. Do you know anything about Islam or just the version you have been given by our PC schools, media, and politicians.

Do you think Jesus wants you to go about killing your enemies? If he did, don't you think he would have been a soldier? You haven't changed a bit since the first time through. Try just once to let someone criticize you without lashing back. Jesus is a muslim you deceitful little devils. While some practice the art of bowing down daily upon a carpet, Jesus is always submitting through the pain of a cross. He would love to just bow on a carpet, but he is nailed to a dogwood tree.

Ignorance in the form of greed and avarice is your real enemy. You don't need terrorists or Islam or Communists or Westerners to commit spiritual and physical suicide. I say you can wipe out all of the muslim or western world and still you will be left with the enemy. Until you learn how to fight stupidity and selfishness and banish the demon that resides in your own mind, you will be forever wandering in the dark. You act like you know the solution, and cast blame wherever your fear dictates. Your master is fear, his servant is your ignorance, and you are whipped about like a dry leaf in the wind. You wander from bleakness to darkness in the seven hells always fearful of shadows. It has been said that you are like a donkey being driven by the cart. You suffer because your mind is not yours, but is driven by the wind, the sand, the rain, your things, and some shadows on the wall. No sir, Islam is not your threat. You are scared and lashing out all around you. You feel separated and look at the world like a butterfly box, you are afraid to dance, love, and simply be with people. Put you on stage to recite a simple three line poem and your armpits ooze sweat and you tremble like a lamb. All it takes is someone with brown skin and suddenly your mind does a backflip. This is a sign of incredible confusion and weakness. You sweat at the armpits and temples when a real man confronts you. Your eyes can barely look even on your own neighbors. "It's cold and their are wolves outside!", you exclaim.
You think Muslims are the enemy? Name me one Muslim whose name you didn't learn from your TV. TV is just a flashing light in a box. You are so incredibly terrified of the real enemy you choose poor scapegoats in far off lands to release your confusion upon. No sir, Islam is not your enemy. You want something to be afraid of? Look in the mirror.

The Simon Fraser study ignores the nature and mandate of Islam to conquer the world by all means necessary as laid out in the Qur'an, the Hadith, and demonstrated in the example of Muhammad. Yes there have been lulls in terrorism but those lulls are for the purpose of strengthening all true Muslims to fight more overtly on another day. The report also ignores all the terrorism that led up to 911 in the Muslim world's attack on the West. The Muslim mandate is clear as Muhammad said:

"I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and believe in me that I am the Messenger and in all that I have brought."

Muslims will say anything to get us dummies in the West to believe that there is no threat. They use our pluralistic values against us and tell us, "Islam is a religion of peace" when in reality they only peace they see is when the whole world is conquered for Allah. They will "fight against the people" (the non Islamic world) through politics, lying about their religion, and all out war when they gain a stronghold. Blood is in the water and leadership is lacking in the West and the USA. This is seen in the ignorance of politicians, news media reporting, and our educational systems. Most of which are filled blind guides who run around repeating the mantra that "Islam is a religion of peace." They also undermine our president and military any chance they get because they love the left wing so much that they will say anything to undermine the president and in so doing they embolden our enemies. We are in serious trouble.

The Muslim world is making its move in economic jihad right now as the economic center of the world shifts away from the West to the Muslim world in Dubai (http://www.arabianbusiness.com/520110-dubai-picking-up-mantle-of-world-financial-capital?ln=en.) One day we will awaken from our slumber but it will probably be too late. We have lost our ability to judge between good and evil because we have bought the lie of relativism. We have bought the lie that says we should not judge another culture or religion even though the evidence all around us is screaming that Islam is not a religion of peace and that Muslims all over the world are bent on our destruction.

Wow, some truth to this. Americans are plain angry. They are angry when the Macdonalds line run five seconds over the estimated wait time, angry when they don't get their milk and cookies, angry when its cold in the winter and hot in the summer, angry for standing in line, downright road raging all the time..., angry at mexicans crossing the border, angry at liberals, angry at conservatives, angry at anybody that makes more money than them, angry at a lack of cell phone reception, angry at George Bush, angry at Bin Laden, angry at their children for crying, angry at their husbands for working all the time. It's a mad mad world they tell you.

No really I'm not scared of terrorists. Despite what happened on 911 it is still 1000 times more likely that I will be killed by cancer or heart disease than from a terrorist attack, 100 times more likely that I will be killed by a drunk driver or a random act of crime... and I'm probably being conservative in those numbers. I don't know any of these people who keep clamoring to ban toenail clippers and baby formula from airplanes, maybe they all work for companies that build metal detectors.

How dare you ... just when we let our guard down because of drivel like this, that's when they will hit us. Don't believe it people........we must remain ever vigilant and we need to screen MORE 100 year old white-haired grandmas at the airports.

Sir,
You confuse fear with anger. Our government may be fearful but the American public is just plain angry.

you can't reveal this information! the people must remain scared, its easier to control us that way

Am I the only person on the planet who thinks it takes two parties to create a terrorist? To wit: (1) A killer who hopes his acts will create fear (i.e. terror), and (2) a person without so little guts that he allows himself to be terrorized (i.e. frightened). Isn't courage the simple refusal to allow sociopaths to control one? Terrrorism is as much about folks who choose to let fear run their lives as it is about folks who try to control others by inspiring fear. We live in an age of cowards as well as sociopaths. Franklin Delano Roosevelt said it best when the world was threatened by two sociopaths (Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin), as well as a collapsing economic order: 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself!'

"Narrative of fear".

This article is no news to me. I know Mr. Zakaria
has good intentions.

The problem is: you have being part of that narrative of fear.

I have watched you on your tv programs. You abide to the MSM's rules of not providing COMPLETE information, and by not asking the questions and follow up questions that would expose the truth about these political issues.

The reason for that is that you are part of the MSM, you would not endanger your salary and "prestige": you can only go so far.

At the end, you can't sound the "alarm" bells, you can only whisper...when they let you.

The Bush Administration strategy and tactics are straight out of George Orwell's "1984." If you are constantly at war with something, then the goernment must be empowered to save you. In order to save you, civil rights must then be relinquished so that the government can spy on everyone in order to save them.

The reality is that, with the exception of 9/11, there have been virtually no terrorist attacks in North America that weren't completely homegrown with white Caucasion nutcases in the last 20 years.

A typical day's violence and crime in the inner cities kills more people than Islamic terrorism. The US Constitution doesn't allow itslef to be suspended for that situation. It shouldn't be suspended for an Orwellian "Global War on Terror" either.

"Why have you not heard about studies like this or the one from Simon Fraser,...? Because it does not fit into the narrative of fear that we have all accepted far too easily."

That's right, but it's nothing new to me. Interestingly enough, you have being part of that "narrative of fear".

I have watched you in your tv programs. You abide to the MSM's "rules" of not providing COMPLETE information, or by refusing to ask the necessary questions to expose the truth.

You have good intentions. But you also know money and prestige lies in MSM. At the end, you can't sound the "alarm" bell. You can only whisper, when they let you.

Mr. Zakaria's second paragraph starts:

"It explains why there is a reason you're scared (about the topics contained in Mr. Zakaria's first paragraph)."

Scared? Nope.

Concerned? Moderately.

There is much more of a chance those reading this, myself included, will be hurt or killed in a car accident this week than be attacked by a terrorist/s.

"Where is the spiritual form of the mind, body, spirit combinations in all of this discussion?" This is a good question it seems to me. I think there must be some reason we think along the lines that we have been talking about though. I'll give up whatever it takes that people can be happy. Just let me know eh? I'll quit driving and never eat doritos again as long you folks in the mideast or middle colorado or wherever you are can just enjoy your lifes. I'll believe in muhammed or jesus or nothing for that matter. Whatever. Play music and celebrate maybe?
Peace folks and may no bombs fall on your heads tonight.

It should be obvious by now, if not long before, that the straight Zionist elements and rationalizers, have lost forever the rational observers of the Zionist experiment. Israel is a total horror commited by those who find infinite excusal in the Nazi holocaust. So they forgot nothing, and learned nothing. Great.

If they are "dead set" against both a complete SC 242 settlement meaning a TOTAL evacuation from the West Bank of Palestine, and "dead set" against an alternative possible settlement being a non-sectarian, democratic, and unitary Palestine, then what is there but eventual disaster?

Wake up! Military superiority is fleeting. If you rely upon this and the ignorance of the stupid, in time history will have its way.

Yes, you maintain the simple minded adherents, Sharonist Zionists, and the Christian Armageddonist, but what victory is this if it can only lead to the eventual collapse of America?

Can anyone believe that an unending militarized war with Islam leads to anything but exhaustion, bankruptcy, and eventual collapse?

Fareed Zakaria

Problem did not start with last illegal invasion of Iraq with genocidein 2003 as it started with first invasion of Iraq in 1914.

Please google The Election of Caliph/Khalifah and World Peace and know the thruth.

There is a vested interest in keeping the fear of terrorism going.It funds the Pentagon and the Mossad and MI5 etc.People are afraid of the economic conditions not terrorism.The writer of this article is someone who has a vested interest in the terror "industry",he gets paid to write about this crap and try to stir people up.$4 gasoline,losing your home or job are the real terrors today.

Mahfouz,
It seems that your heroes are people like Ataturk and whateverhisname in Tunisia. While both men did some good(!), they failed to let education lead the change:::bottom-up. I have read that the social structure of old in Turkey which was outlawed by Ataturk and made dormant during the era of Ataturk till now is coming to life? It is coming to life becasue social structure change was not a bottom up change; it was a typical macho ME act...THOSE PEOPLE!!!!...... Do not miss understand what I am saying: I fully support secularism, however there is an appropriate way and there is a (short cut..).wrong way of getting to a desisred stage of intellectual/societal development. You appear to favor authoritarian approach, much like Ataturk and Saddam. What is disagreeable whether one examines Attaturk or Saddam behaviors is their 'know it all' approach and practicing: ends justify the means.

Mahfouz, the way you look at power is very consistent with how middle east people approach power and the powerless: THOSE PEOPLE!!!! THOSE KUWAITYS ...THOSE PALESTINIANS...ETC (ssssssst....what it is that makes them people do it!)
Help!!! I do not know how to explain your outdated ME political views (Ends justify the means) with your seemingly enlightened perspective on some issues.

My guess is that you are a closet believer of Islam (without you knowing about it). Anyone holding beliefs like yours has to be a believer in Islam. Backwardness of Islam shows itself in multitude of ways! This is the only way I could explain your ways of thinking.

I find it difficult to believe that "development," social, economic, civil, etc. is more important than "forced" democracy. I find it difficult to believe that miliaristic, highly cultured Imperial Japan and militaristic, materialistically developed, technologically advanced, scientifically superior, highly cultured nazi Germany can be better than the "forced" democracy imposed on Japan and Germany after WWII.
For the poor and powerless, democracy, (republican democracy, imo) is the best equalizer, not the perfect equalizer, but the best equalizer and the best protection there is against the wealthy and powerful. I am not saying that the wealthy and powerful are intrinsically the enemy of the people, but democracy insures that political power is spread as equally as possible.
Strict and fundamentalist Islam, like any other fundamentalist religious sect, or even atheistic communism for that matter, is intrinsically intolerant, anti-democratic, anti-egalitarian and at its worst terroristic.
Imo, "forced" democracy as was foisted on Japan and Germany post WWII is no longer feasible nor productive. At this time, imo, people must be given a chance to choose. But in the atmosphere of tyranny and fear that existed in Saddam's Iraq, Taliban Afghanistan and exists in Iran today, the opportunity, the chance and the freedom for a people to choose between a fascistic tyrant and a free democracy, or to choose between a theocracy and a free democracy are not available. For a people to choose their own government freely tyranny must be removed, preferably from the inside, but if not, then from the outside.
That is the way that tyranny like fundamentalist Islam today has always been removed. Revolution or war.
Tyrannical government always threatens and subjugates it own people first and then it threatens others. But it never lets things just be.

If the O man becomes the President and has things his own way (appeasement to terrorism) he will find out these things the hard way but by then our losses will not run into the tens of thousands but into the hundreds of millions. It's happened before. Check it out!

Hopefully, Fareed Zakaria’s comments on fear include these two definitions. Where is the spiritual form of the mind, body, spirit combinations in all of this discussion?

From the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, also known as DSM-IV-TR:
A phobia (from Greek: φόβος, phobos, "fear"), is an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things, or persons. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject. When the fear is beyond one's control, or if the fear is interfering with daily life, then a diagnosis under one of the anxiety disorders can be made.
A Paranoid personality disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis characterized by paranoia characterized by a pervasive and long-standing suspiciousness and generalized mistrust of others. (DSM-IV) For a person's personality to be considered a personality disorder, an enduring pattern of characteristic maladaptive behaviors, thinking and personality traits must be present from the onset of adolescence or early adulthood. Additionally, these behaviors, traits and thinking must be present to the extent that they cause significant difficulties in relationships, employment and other facets of functioning. Those with paranoid personality disorder are hypersensitive, are easily slighted, and habitually relate to the world by vigilant scanning of the environment for clues or involvement and the general pattern of isolated withdrawal often lend a quality of schizoid isolation to their life experience.

Seems like the Human Race has a long way to go to evolve into spiritual beings. Too long a way, perhaps?

Remember, a Muslim's definition of progress may differ fundamentally from that ascribed in the Western; since, we have have pursued secular development.
I recall reading Muslim's central life-focus to be moving closer to God. They are theocratic bound nations. Coinflict and distortion occurs; although, as the rational for Jihad "violent means for solution" the former being rather oxymoronic as reflex response.

Remember, a Muslim's definition of progress may differ fundamentally from that ascribed in the Western; since, we have have pursued secular development.
I recall reading Muslim's central life-focus to be moving closer to God. They are theocratic bound nations. Coinflict and distortion occurs; although, as the rational for Jihad "violent means for solution" the former being rather oxymoronic as reflex response.

Center says:
“It is the peoples and the ideology they believe in (that) hold progress back“,
I agree. Where do Muslims get their ideology? Mostly from the Quran, which is believed by most Muslims to be the literal words of Allah, the Creator. When that book, says every aspect of human life is predestined (written before creation), why bother strive toward any goal? You ask a beggar on the streets of Cairo why not look for a job, the instant reply would be “It is Allah’s will“. You ask a poor woman why she gives birth to a new baby every year, she replies “it is Allah’s will“. You ask a man who barely can support his family why is he looking to add another wife, he will tell you “the Sharia allows it and it is written(predestined) .
Tunis and Turkey, abolished polygamy and the latter separated Mosque and State. When the rest of the Muslims follow suite we will begin to see some progress. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey, once remarked " As long as those people(Muslims) use this book(Quran) as a manual for life, they are not going to amount to anything." Time is proving him right.

I got this message after posting.

Your comment has been received and held for approval by the blog owner.

If you do not allow to post all of us then why do you invite us to spoil our time?

Did these various terrorist organizations count

the killers of Palestinians in Palestine?

For that is SURELY more terrorism than their
description of the Iraq war as such...

though I agree with them on Iraq, too.

But the Israeli terrorism has, for example,
no "coalition" and is done in secret, as the MSM in America is jewish operated and muzzles it.

Mahfouz,
Take a look at this link, it shows a timeline of science, philosophy, inventions, and the work of muslim peoples.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_science_and_technology_in_the_Islamic_world

Mahfouz responding to Herring says: Yes this predicament,meaning Muslim backwardness, has everything to do with Islam.
Mahfouz, I found reading about the intellectual era in which Luther lived to be very helpful. I also would think that reading on ideology and the stuff it is made up of would shed much light on why we think the way we do.

You also state that 'emperical evidence'.....supports your contention that Islam is the culprit in why Muslims are 'backward'. I repeat my suggest that you read the works of Luther. If you did, you would find that Christians (People) and not Christianity were corrupt and backward. The same could be said about Islam or Hinduism etc. Luther had to fight Christian contemporaries to 'save' Christianity from contemporary Christians. This is what many Muslims are trying to do with state power standing in their way. It is the peoples and the ideology they believe in hold progress back. Christianity has been with us since Christ. It is ridiculous to say that 20th century Christianity is better than 16th century Christianity. It is the people reading the Bible (then and now) who should be praised or condemned for setting the social pace in their communities.

The same could be said about Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, etc.

Robert,
Your comments on the 'Beduins' as primitive and your judgmental comment on Saudi were unnecessary.

These comments reflect an ethnocentric mind-set.

Calling others 'primitive' is more a reflection of the 'caller's' state of (in)tolerance.

There are more acceptable ways to praise Kuwaitys than to cast aspersions on groups of people or countries.

I would have the same resentment toward comments like yours if they were directed toward the native American, Ebos in Nigeria or any group.

Robert says:
“You (meaning Palestinians) were all evicted because most of you, not all, but most of you living in Kuwait were celebrating and openly embracing the Iraqis when they took over Kuwait."
Moi:
Neither I nor anyone I know celebrated Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait even though we have every reason to do so; Kuwait is a province of Iraq and was stripped away by the British to raid its oil wealth. Very much like what the same British did to our Palestine, except for a different reason. We shall dance in the streets, along with all justice loving people, when Kuwait is united back with its motherland just like when Palestine is liberated.

Mr. Ibrahim Mahfouz, you and your family and fellow palestinians were not evicted from Kuwait because of a kiss between Arafat (the ultimate hustler), and Saddam (the ultimate thug).

You were all evicted because most of you, not all, but most of you living in Kuwait were celebrating and openly embracing the Iraqis when they took over Kuwait.

Kuwait did what most societies do in such circumstances: they felt deeply betrayed and took retaliatory steps against all palestinians. Just be happy that these primitive Bedouins did not slaughter you in the streets.

If it were Saudi Arabia, they most certainly would have chopped some heads in public squares.

Joseph Herring addresses me and Center by saying:
"I have to agree with Center, that this predicament has relatively little to do with Muslims or Christians."
Moi: Yes this predicament,meaning Muslim backwardness, has everything to do with Islam. Empirical data conclusively prove that Muslims, despite the many differences that divide them, are clustered toward the bottom of the totem pole in all facets of human endeavor; science, technology, industry, economics, politics, human rights, equality of the sexes, plurality etc. That alone should be enough proof. Name me one scientific discovery or technological innovation done by a Muslim in the past 500 years.

You say:
“More something to do with stuff, recourses, land, or some sort of tangible power like oil.”
Moi: Excuses, excuses and more excuses. Sudan has one million square miles of the most fertile land in the world as is the poorest in Africa. The Gulf states have most of the world’s oil reserves, and all what they are doing with this wealth is building few tall office buildings, build madrassas and mosques mostly in the West and funding terrorists. Such “arguments” as yours expose the box within which Muslims’s mentality is trapped.

You say;
But there must be some reason why you feel so strongly? Could you please clarify why you are surprised that there are any Christians living today in the Arab world?
Moi: All what you have to do is read the so-called "Omar Pact" and you too will be surprised that there are any Christians living in Muslim lands.
http://www.bible.ca/islam/islam-kills-pact-of-umar.htm

Fareed Zakaria,
I wanted to let you know I appreciate the research, and for letting us know what the findings were in the Simon Fraser study. This kind of knowledge is useful for cutting through some of the fear that is so thick in my part of the world. It seems like the article you wrote has led to some discussion about the causes of terrorism. Many are lead to believe that it has roots in Islam. I can't believe this? It just doesn't make sense in the big picture. In your studies, have you found any scientific research that elucidates the true causes of this activity?

To Joseph Herring 9.02 am post: Are you referring to Muhammad?

Mahfouz,
Sorry, I failed to notice in your previous blog that you are talking about strict fundamentalist state sponsored Islam and not Islam in a pure or practical sense. It is clear to me now that you respect the difference, which leaves me no further cause to try to enlighten you.

Vkguptan,
"If Islam is a religion of peace we are yet to see that benign face of it."
Look harder VKguptan, There has been considerable beauty flow forth from this rich and ancient tradition. Mathematics, Architecture, and rich poetry and story archive, to name but a few.

Mahfouz and Center,
I have to agree with Center, that this predicament has relatively little to do with Muslims or Christians. More something to do with stuff, recources, land, or some sort of tangible power like oil. But there must be some reason why you feel so strongly? Could you please clarify why you are surprised that their are any Christians living today in the Arab world? I can't see any harm in living devoutly muslim so long as you aren't a hatemongering fearmaking murderer, which really is deserving of its own religious namesake.

Shafiq Rahman,

I do not hate Muslims but only want them to know the truth that will set them free. Sometimes doctors have to tell patients that they have a life threatening disease. The doctor is not unloving if they tell the truth. In fact he has to tell the truth so that the patient will see the need for the operation that will fix the problem. Jesus the Son of God is the doctor and He says that all other ways (religions) except for His death burial and resurrection are sinful diseases of death. Faith towards the true God and faith in Jesus and what He did on the cross is the operating table on which all sin is taken away and nailed to the cross. It is the table were new life is attained by faith.

I do not like to comment on somebody elses comments. Reading the comment by Mr. Shafiq Rahman I am tempted to put in few words.
I fully agree with him when he says that many of the comments are not relevant to the topic and that Mr.Zacharia has posted his article in the wrong place. It would have been much suited for a panel discussion with experts in the field. Once he posts in this column every Tom, Dick and Harry including myself will give their opinions. If Washington post had a system of reviewing the comments before they are posted many could have been weeded out. This one also will not see the light of the day as topic is basically about whether terrorism has decreased during the past few years which I fail to agree.
I cannot agree that reports coming in the papers are as per the briefing from White House. It is posted from the very place where the terrorist attacks has taken place.
He has told that Bangladesh has dealt with terrorists there successfully. But a week or so back terrorisst attack has killed more than sixty people in Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan a state in North India and the intelligent agencies are of the opinion that it is the handiwork of Bangladesh based terrorists.
In Kashmir when the army or other agencies kill any civilian by mistake there will be big protests with closing of the markets and offices. On the other hand when the terrorist kill many innocents there is hardly any such protests. I am not condoning the killing of the civilians. Only comparing the attitude of the people to both heinious acts.
I don't think really any moderate muslims are coming out and condemning such acts except a few here and there. Could be that the religion has such a powerful hold on the individuals and they are afraid of being ostracised if they speak out publically against it.
And finally something entirely different. If Islam is a religion of peace we are yet to see that benign face of it.

I don't so much feel above it all as at the bottom of a latrine, stairing up at the peephole.
I do think this arguement that "terrorists will always exist as long as their are devout muslisms" is some of the crap I am sitting upon. The turds in the latrine are all different colors. Hatred is born out of resentment and separation. All the turds are in the same latrine whether we like it or not? Anybody that thinks devout muslims are some sort of enemy is a terrorist in hiding, waiting for their own situation to become desperate enough as to warrant action. Me? I am starting to enjoy the smell. I happen to love Allah for what he is, which happens to be allah you ignoramuses.
Peace brothers, and may your minds find some peace in accepting who you are; turds in a latrine, stairing up at a peephole.

It seems that you have posted your article in the wrong place, Mr. Zakaria. Most of the people who make postings are intellectually challenged and analytically bankrupt. They are so obsessed with their “knowledge” about Islam and the Muslims that they would give you the final word: As long as there will be Muslims, there will be terrorisms. You guys are totally incompatible in the globalized world. Please use this forum to discuss, analyze and learn something. Don’t just vent your anger and spew hates.

I would like to begin where Mr. Zakaria ended: Why we do not see critical analysis of the threat emanating from terrorism (Islamic or otherwise). Zakaria is absolutely right: The stories that deconstruct the “Islamic threat” do not fit into the narratives favored by political and cultural elites in this country. Although the clash of civilization theory has been widely discredited in academia, media still cling to it and use it in reporting events and issues that relate to so-called Muslim world and its relations with so-called West. This framework, along with media’s mantra “conflict” (if it bleeds then it leads), creates a deadly combination. Also, US media’s heavy reliance on the White House for reporting international affairs is responsible for this. Research has consistently showed that US media people do not have the resource and knowledge to report intelligently on foreign affairs. They usually amplify the talking points of the White House. They become critical only when the government fail, like they are being critical now about Iraq War.
In the case of post-9/11 threat reporting media propagated the Bush assertion that Islamists are there to create a Caliphate. A scary situation in deed! Media miserably failed to deconstruct this notion by providing more contexts. They rarely mention that the global terrorism by Al-Qaeda began in Afghanistan, in the battleground of Mujahedeens against the Soviets, in which the US, Saudi and Pakistan governments played huge roles. Media rarely report on how other countries fight terrorism, and rather successfully. I would give just one example from Bangladesh, where I lived most of my life and have followed the political situations closely. Bangladeshi government quickly cracked down the terrorists responsible for the recent country wide bombing campaign. Two of the masterminds were apprehended and were sentenced to death. These terrorists used the bombing campaign to “establish Islamic law” in the country. According to media reports, those terrorists were successful because of the poor security situations in the country. Also, some government officials used those terrorists to achieve their political goals, which were not Islamic, by the way. So, the idea that terrorism, which is done in the name of Islam, is tantamount of establishing an Islamic Caliphate is just non-sense. Terrorist activities that have been going on throughout the world have specific contexts and those should be highlighted. And the fight against terrorism should continue; not globally but locally.

It is really very confusing. Mr.Zacharia has quoted undisputable statistics and has proved that terrorism is very much on the decline. But practically every day one reads of suicide attacks which kills a lot of innocent ones. Of course such reports are not from US or Europe. It is in Iraq, Afghanistan and here in India. It was happening in Pakistan as well till the present Government was rather forced to surrender to the terrorists. It is also surprising to note that Bin Laden's support base has gone down from 70 percent to 7 percent. I feel that the statisticians can do some jugglery and project whatever thay want to.

the post signed Anonymous below is not; it is by Center.

sorry for not typing the name.

Mahfouz,
you present a list of dos and don'ts as if these dos and don'ts were in the Muslim holy book. You fail to appreciate that these dos/don'ts are explicated from Islam as well as from theology. Mind you, these dos and don'ts are those of certain school of thought. Since you lived in Kuwait, I hazer a guess that you felt the differences between the dos/don'ts of the Sunni vs Shia. This fact trumps your assumption that Islam would always be backward due to the many rules that stifle scientific creativity. You call these dos/don'ts rules when in actuality they are (social) expectations rather than religious rules. Let's also remember that Islam did not hinder progress of early Muslims. Likewise, the Protestant Reformation was a revolt against these 'Kind' of rules some Muslim adhere to. Granted, different Muslims support/enforce these rules depending on what school of thought a Muslim state one talks about. Sharia is nothing but rules that vary from school of thought/state to another. Islam is a construct, however, neither Sharia nor Muslims are a monolith.

What Kuwaitys did to you and many others is reprehensible. Kuwait is ruled by tribal ethos, not Islamic ideas and ideals as I understand Islam to be.

Sorry that our exchange has veered away from the main topic of the post.