Dr. Abd Al-Hamid Al-Ansari, former dean of the Faculty of Islamic Law at the University of Qatar, wrote an article titled 'What Do We Demand From America?' in the London Arabic-language daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat. The following are excerpts from the article : [1]
"Has the world become better two years after the September 11 disaster as a result of change in the American policy toward fighting terrorism within its own territories and as a result of using armed force in order to eliminate dictatorial regimes connected with terrorist activity?
"Of course, there are those who think that the situation has become worse, and that America is using the war on terror and [the idea of] spreading democracy as a pretext for unrestrained hegemony, empire creation, and expansion in the world in disregard of international law or the principles of morality. The problem with this approach is that it sees half of the picture – the half-empty glass … and focuses only on the negative traits of America because of the widespread media distortion of [America's] image that prevails in our countries.
"But what about the other half of the picture… America's positive deeds surpass its negative deeds… America has done many positive things and changed the world for the better. It is enough that it freed the world of many dictatorial regimes… Some claim that it did not succeed in establishing democracy in place of the regimes that it toppled, but in some cases it did succeed, and the most outstanding examples are in Germany and Japan…
"Let us imagine the world if America had listened to the French and German logic saying: Give the murderers of the Serbs and the Arabs a chance for a diplomatic solution. Would Bosnia, Kuwait, and Iraq be liberated [today]…?
"Let us describe the situation of the Arabs, and especially of Iraq, had America listened to the European council that said: Democracy is not suited to the Arabs, their culture is contrary to it. Leave the backward ones alone to consume each other…
"See now how many countries are turning towards democracy. Even Afghanistan has a constitution. In Iraq, [they are drafting] a new constitution and handing over the regime, and Libya has changed…
"What are the lessons to be learned from this?
"First, the tyrants don't leave until bombs fall. The peoples alone are not capable of struggling with dictatorial regimes except with powerful external help…
"Second, America needs to further encourage the democratic trend and reward the countries that have succeeded in the area of political, social, and economic reform, with aid, support, investment, and free trade agreements…
"The other problem is terrorism. We have suffered from terror and we cannot get rid of it. If terror had not struck within America we would not be able to fight it. It is true that America transferred the war to the terrorists' own territories rather than waiting [until they struck]…
"But might alone is not enough. Terrorism has an ideological and cultural base that must be dismantled, and therefore America needs to encourage the countries to reexamine their educational systems in full – not only the curriculum – and must give financial and professional aid in developing the educational system…
"Our third demand of America is connected to the Palestinian problem and to improving the image of America, since the [Arab] media focuses on the negative aspects of America and does not mention its positive face. The media help vilify the image of America and increase hatred for it, but it is not acting in a vacuum. America's bias in favor of Israel provides fertile ground for blackening the image of America in the Arab and Muslim public awareness … and as the emir of Qatar said… We call on America to view our problems with greater balance, justice, and honesty. This is what will improve its image in the Arab and Islamic world…"
[1] Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), February 4, 2004.
