Western self-criticism is called for. But isn it the Muslims who primarily have cause for self-criticism?
More and more Muslims today are recognizing the difficult situation of the Muslim world and are engaging in self-criticism. Since the publication of three Arab Human Development Reports in recent years, commissioned by the United Nations and the Arab League and produced by around 50 Arab academics, no one can deny that the Arab world in particular is heading for a social, political and economic crisis. But the West shares the responsibility for this situation. It should honestly reflect on itself instead of always pointing the finger at “Islam.” In many cases Western states and companies have notoriously played a part in failed developments and abuses. We in the West have every reason for a self-examination which must go below the surface of current events. Relaxing tension by recognizing deeper-seated causes. But wasn’t the indignation of Muslims over the cartoons organized, and isn’t every means being used by Muslim fundamentalists to stir up popular anger? It is true that for radica
