A Muslim Centrist Platform for Democracy in the Arab World
2004 Report (Continued)
Steven Rockefeller then raised the point that the force behind the liberalization of Judeo-Christian thought was the application of the techniques of literary and historical criticism to sacred texts: what are the possibilities for Muslims allowing this type of approach? Prince Hassan affirmed that this may indeed happen and that the Koran supports the principle of intellectual knowledge through conversation with others.
An audience member asked whether Prince Hassan could suggest concrete steps for confidence or trust-building across the region. The Prince replied that the Islamic Development Bank has called for twenty years of people-to-people funding for the poor. In the realm of altruism, he returned to the idea of an International Peace Corps. He further suggested that the World Bank enter into dialogue with young protesters.
The final question centered on what can be done in Iraq to improve relations and how the U.S. can prevent itself from being perceived as a villain. Prince Hassan spoke in favor of the "cosmopolitanization" of the media, including in the Arab world. As far as Iraq is concerned, it needs--he said--to be dissociated from Saddam Hussein. The U.S., which was so successful at nation-building after World War II, will not fail to rebuild Iraq as long as it stays the course, redoubles its essential efforts, and builds cooperative civil society and new leadership.
Mustapha Tlili called the discussion to a close and thanked the panelists and Prince Hassan for their contributions to the night's debate.
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Iran and the Middle East: How to Shape a Security Regime Acceptable to All Regional Actors
Panel discussion at New York University on Wednesday, March. 26, 2008 6:30—8:30 pm
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