Rashad Hussain: New US Ambassador to OIC

On Feb 13, Obama appointed Rashad Hussain as the new ambassador to the OIC.

With the appointment, Rashad Hussain will have some influence on the US administration's view on and approach to the Islamic world, which had in the past, especially  during the Bush era,  been so distorted and unbalanced.  [Needless to say, Bush surrounded himself with the so-called Neo-conservatives whose ideology seems galvanised by a common enmity towards anything Islamic.]

The following are seven points put forward by Mr Hussain in an effort to build a more balanced approach.  A brief biography of Mr Hussain can be read here:  

                                           http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashad_Hussain

First, rather than characterizing counterterrorism efforts as “freedom and democracy versus terrorist ideology,” policymakers should instead frame the battle of ideas as a conflict between terrorist elements in the Muslim world and Islam.

Second, policymakers should reject the use of language that provides a religious legitimization of terrorism such as “Islamic terrorism” and “Islamic extremist.” They should replace such terminology with more specific and descriptive terms such as “Al-Qaeda terrorism.”

Third, the United States should seek to build a broad and diverse coalition of partners, not limited to those who advocate Western-style democracy, and avoid creating a dichotomy between freedom and Islamic society. Such a coalition should incorporate those who may have political differences, so long as they reject terrorism.

Fourth, the United States should enlist the assistance of scholars of Islam and the Muslim world to determine how best to frame the mission of the global counterterrorism mission. Rather than framing the conflict as “pro-freedom” or “anti-Jihadist,” these scholars should analyze the most persuasive methods for applying Islamic law to reject terrorism.

Fifth, the United States should incorporate the Muslim community as well as scholars of Islam and of the Muslim world in the policymaking process to help craft policies that reflect a more nuanced understanding of those targeted.

Sixth, the United States should promote and distribute scholarship such as the North American Muslims Scholars’ Fatwa against Terrorism and the Aal al-Bayt Institute’s anti-terrorism rulings, which carefully analyze issues such as the use of force in Islam and conclude that terrorism, must be rejected unequivocally.

Seventh, recognizing the benefit of strengthening the authoritative voices of mainstream Islam, the United States should welcome and encourage the further development of mainstream Muslim organizations and moderate institutions. 

Source:

“Understanding the Role of Islam in Counterterrorism Policy,” co-authored with Al Husain N. Madhany, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations,  published by the Brookings Institution in August 2008. At the time Hussain was a Clerk at the US Appeals Court.