9/11 Remembered–The challenge to the West for the next decade
Bishop Michael Nazir–Ali argues that while the West has been traumatised by 9/11, there has been a growing radicalisation of Muslim communities worldwide.
Writing for Idea magazine, he warns that inflammatory teaching is fostering a worldview that seeks the restoration of lands lost to Islam and the Caliphate, as well as the abolition of the nation state in the cause of a united Ummah.
Under this worldview acts of terrorism are portrayed as blows for the liberation of oppressed Muslims and vengeance for past wrongs.
In response, Bishop Michael urges the vigorous defence of freedom of belief and expression, along with the freedom to change one’s beliefs. He believes moves to make religion coercive must be opposed, while the right to persuade must be vigorously defended, along with freedom of opportunity for women and girls.
Those opposed to harsh fundamentalism must be willing and able to ask ‘tough questions about freedom, integration and equality’. He encourages Christians to engage in advocacy for the victims of discrimination and to support the persecuted.
On the Western response to the Arab Spring, Bishop Michael writes: ‘The best protection for the West from terrorism is the encouraging and the establishing of freedom in Muslim countries together with democracy and the rule of law.’
Bishop Michael Nazir–Ali is President of Oxtrad, the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue, and was the 106th Bishop of Rochester for 15 years, until 2009.