David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Thursday 21 May, 2009

Forging coalitions with the Muslim world

President Obama said a few weeks ago: "America is not and never will be at war with Islam".  Next month he will address this theme again in a landmark speech in Cairo.  The fact that he feels the need to say this, and the positive reception he has got for doing so, reveals the depth of division and distrust towards the West that has emerged since 9/11. 
 
Britain has historical baggage in the Muslim world.  We have to overcome it.  In the majority of our British Muslim citizens, we have an enormous resource, combining  the values that bind Britain together as a liberal democracy, with their particular religious identity.  And in that merging of identities are valuable lessons as we forge coalitions in the Muslim world.  
 
I will be giving a speech later today which will explore this theme.  It will set out why I think we need to understand the Muslim world better, and work with Muslim majority countries in new ways.  There are no easy cases.  But to avoid grappling with these issues is irresponsible. 

It is not good enough to categorise people as ’moderates’ or 'extremists' (a trap I have sometimes fallen into).  But there is a divide between those committed to politics and those who rely on violence.  If we respect those committed to politics, support the application of our own democratic values and help tackle the big grievances, including over Palestine, we can forge a new coalition and win consent. 

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Posted at 11:50 21 May 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[12]

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts. This looks like a good approach, seeking to address a complex issue. It seems important to integrate into your plans a collaboration with like-minded international initiatives that have existed for a while now, like the UN Alliance of Civilizations AoC. We at the University of Birmingham have joined the AoC Research Network and look forward to learn more about your future plans. Best wishes, Josef Boehle

Posted by Dr J Boehle on May 21, 2009 at 02:15 PM BST #

"America is not and never will be at war with Islam". Israel may have different thoughts. Earlier this month, the US called at the United Nations for a number of presumed nuclear powers to join the NPT: "Universal adherence to the NPT itself, including by India, Israel, Pakistan and North Korea … remains a fundamental objective of the United States". The Times reported that this statement broke a major taboo in US diplomacy. Washington had never before named Israel as a nuclear power. Ever since the government of Richard Nixon the US and Jerusalem stayed silent on the Israeli nuclear program. President Obama's Middle East policy is said to be more focused on a nuclear free zone for the entire Middle East rather than just Israel.

Posted by Slightly Optimistic on May 21, 2009 at 02:23 PM BST #

May be it is not good at all to categorise Muslims as ’moderates’ or 'extremists' as these terms are completely Misinterpreted by the west. For example, a Muslim woman veiling her face is considred 'extremist' in many of the western minds, whereas in Islam she is cosidered a committed believer. On th other hand, a Muslim woman not covering her hair is a 'moderate' from the western Perspective, whereas she is a sinner in the Islamic justification. There is no doubt that 'Bin Laden', 'Hitler'.etc version is by all means 'extermism'. Therefore, Mr Foreign Secretary, you need to target those who are representing the correct Islam; those who believe in a dialogue and a just discussion. You were absolutely right when you said that we need to 'help tackle the big grievances, including over Palestine'. You hit the nail there. Extremism is a product of injustice. Impliment justice and there will be no room for extremism.

Posted by B Abu Haj on May 21, 2009 at 05:26 PM BST #

I found your speech interesting and informative. It was good to see some honesty in your statements. I also recognized myself as one of those people who has an acute sense of injustice and resentment because of the way we treat the Palestinians. In my view, the West is being judged by our actions in Palestine and Iraq. We should be honest about why we went to war in Iraq. The war in Iraq was illegal and was certainly not for liberal intervention. It is sad that you cannot admit this. Your reasons for not speaking to Hamas demonstrates how you are controlled by the Israelis. Israel is more and more a racist state but you say nothing about this. Thank God we have President Obama to stand up to them. You need to work harder to understand the Muslim world but you also need to understand the British better. The British recognize more and more that Israel relies on violence, or do you not see this?

Posted by Paul Macdonald on May 21, 2009 at 08:47 PM BST #

The most important point to take from the above statement is that, thankfully, there is now a realisation that the employment of such ill-conceived terms as 'moderates' or 'extremists' <we may also add the term 'Wahabi'> have been very damaging and counter-productive in forging good relations with the Muslim communities in the UK and across the world. Perhaps another point which should be clarified here is what exactly is meant by the term “Muslim World”? Do we mean the political establishment and ruling elite in those countries or do we aim to reach out to the the people <sha'b>? Obama's recent speeches have been very successful and well received in Muslim communties across the world because they have been interpreted by such communities as speeches addressed directly to them <the people>.

Posted by M.M on May 22, 2009 at 06:31 AM BST #

I like the concept of noting the division between those committed to politics and those who rely on violence. It is obvious that the Islamic faith is divided between those who use faith to justify certain religious beliefs and others who defend Sharia law, barbaric actions and primative views. Moreover some who take a literal reading of holy texts can and will use it to justify violence. We in Britain can tolerate any viewpoint and commit ourselves to freedom of belief inside the boundaries of debate and politics. In this way we can draw a line between us, of any and no faith, who are commited to a peaceful society and those who seek to bring change through violence. This could overcome the major hurdle of where particular groups 'fit' in society. Looking at the Muslim faith in this way can also help to marginalise radical groups through open debate and deliberation of ideas.

Posted by Kevin Conroy on May 22, 2009 at 06:38 AM BST #

Tell them we want the same rights for non-Muslims and atheists in their countries that their Muslim citizens have in ours. Simple enough.

Posted by Harry Perry on May 22, 2009 at 03:37 PM BST #

It make far more sense economically and geo-politically to make the Muslim world our partners. We've abused them for too long...

Posted by Mohammad Uz-Zaman on May 22, 2009 at 06:07 PM BST #

Dear David Milliband, President Obama said a few weeks ago: "America is not and never will be at war with Islam". Then let America deal with the issue. What is the problem with you British? When I was in Glasgow, I sent a letter dated 07.09.07 which was addressed basically to the Principal of Uni of Glasgow but a copy was sent to you. The letter is still relevant today and especially in the context of this news item. On the page number 18 of the letter I wrote the following: 1. History of this world is replete with superpowers emerging and disappearing in the mist of time. 2. My understanding is that your people are not valuing the victory of the Second World War but are aggrieved at the loss of supremacy the war brought along with it. 3. May I suggest you to come out of the past and start living in the present? The world has changed around you. The past cannot be imposed on the present. So, try to play the role commensurate with your size.

Posted by Dr Qaisar Rashid on May 23, 2009 at 04:01 PM BST #

i think u n try to correct its mistakes with islamic world but i can not take these words in a true way as every age the occupier one say good words and do bad doings

Posted by mahmoud shaban ............. journalist on May 24, 2009 at 12:16 PM BST #

People must be looking at a different world then I see. When America had the twin towers blown up people in my area ran through the streets shouting death to Americans , what can you call these people activist. I'm sick and tired of wars in other countries to get oil, keep your fingers out of American wars, any leader who commits up to war should lead the war from the front perhaps that will stop them. I think we should allow other nations to live out the lives they want we are not the bloody police.

Posted by Robert on May 25, 2009 at 12:09 PM BST #

Barak Obama is saying very well in the favor of Muslims.But i think just he is saying.He will never act upon the words which he has said.Hope for the best.

Posted by Quran Recitation on June 11, 2009 at 01:09 PM BST #

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