Introduction of the Moderator: David Ignatius:
David Ignatius, a columnist and associate editor of The Washington Post, moderates the discussion. The topic of discussion is the growing tension between Islam and the West, a clash of civilizations between modernity and traditional societies. The World Economic Forum’s effort to address the issue through dialogue, projects, and conflict prevention is highlighted.

Ignatius’ Personal Experience and Vision for Dialogue:
Ignatius shares his experience of living in a Palestinian village and attending a conference organized by Hezbollah. He emphasizes the need for cross-cultural dialogue and encourages Arab television stations to send camera crews to Israel for immersive storytelling.

Introduction of the Panelists:
Lord Carey of Clifton, former Archbishop of Canterbury and co-chairman of the Council of 100, is introduced. President Musharraf of Pakistan is mentioned as a participant. Pat Mitchell, President and CEO of PBS, and her focus on the role of women in this cultural divide is highlighted. Antony Grayling, a reader in philosophy at Birkbeck College, is introduced as a self-described secularist who will provide a challenge to the other panelists’ perspectives.

Council of 100:
Lord Carey co-chairs the Council of 100 with Prince Turki. The Council of 100 is an initiative that aims to address the “clash of civilizations” between the West and Islam. It involves five elements: business, media, politics, academics, and faith leaders/NGOs.

Goals of the Council of 100:
To promote better understanding and communication between the West and Islam. To break down stereotypes and distortions about both cultures. To engage in inter-civilizational dialogue on issues such as secularism and humanism. To promote values of cooperation and understanding through culture and public engagement.

Four Main Areas of Focus:
Information and communication: To provide accurate information about the West and Islam and to dispel stereotypes. Exchanges: To facilitate exchanges at all levels of business, religion, and society, with a focus on people who are not normally included in exchange programs. Dialogue of discourse: To engage in discussions on inter-civilizational issues, including the relationship between faith and secularism. Culture: To promote understanding and cooperation through cultural initiatives, such as public service announcements, public broadcasting, and sports events.

Challenges:
The Council of 100 is a small organization, and it faces the challenge of delivering meaningful results with limited resources. The task of bridging the divide between the West and Islam is complex and requires the cooperation of many different stakeholders. The Council of 100 needs to engage with a wide range of people, including faith leaders, politicians, business leaders, and cultural figures, to achieve its goals.

Opportunities:
The Council of 100 has the potential to make a significant contribution to improving understanding and cooperation between the West and Islam. The Council of 100 can provide a platform for dialogue and cooperation among different stakeholders who are committed to promoting peace and understanding. The Council of 100 can help to shape public opinion and promote positive attitudes towards diversity and tolerance.

Misperceptions Impeding Dialogue:
Negative mindsets, attitudinal problems, and rigidity on both the Muslim and Western sides hinder dialogue.

Western Misperceptions of Islam:
Islam is seen as a religion of extremism, terrorism, fundamentalism, and intolerance. Islam is perceived to be in conflict with democracy, modernism, and secularism. Muslims are believed to refuse assimilation into the global family.

Islam’s True Teachings:
Islam is a religion of peace and moderation, not militancy or extremism. Extremism stems from political disputes, not religious teachings. Islam is democratic in concept, believing in human rights, freedom of speech, and decision-making through consensus. Islam encourages continuous review of thought to remain current and relevant. Islam promotes equal rights for minorities, implying that an Islamic country should be democratic, secular, and modern in concept.

Assimilation and Modernism:
Assimilation into the global family should not be limited to dress or social customs. It should involve embracing the core values of tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence. Modernism in Islam includes continuous review of thought, adaptability to time and environment, and acceptance of equal rights for minorities.

Western Misperceptions:
The West often views the Islamic world in a narrow and short-sighted context, equating modernization with Westernization. Muslims want to modernize, but they may not want to adopt Western culture and values. Modernization should be understood in its broader sense as progressive thought, development, and knowledge for humanity’s progress.

Muslim Misperceptions:
Some Muslims hold bigoted views and shun anything Western, including modern knowledge, English language, and music. This negative mindset is limited to a minority of Muslims and not representative of the vast majority.

Actions to Promote Dialogue:
Both sides need to correct misperceptions and promote attitudinal change, moderation, tolerance, and accommodation of each other. The strategy of enlightened moderation involves two prongs: Muslim world: Reject extremism, pursue socio-economic development. Western world: Resolve political disputes with justice, assist in socio-economic development.

Economic Asymmetry:
To achieve enlightened moderation, economic asymmetry must be addressed. Wealth and the fruits of globalization should be shared equitably, benefiting the have-nots.

Lessons from Communism:
Communism failed because it focused solely on equitable distribution of wealth without balancing it with wealth creation.

Understanding the Economic Disparities in Capitalism and Islam:
Former President Pervez Musharraf highlights the contrast between capitalism’s wealth creation and its lack of equity, emphasizing Islam’s focus on harmony between wealth and equity. He cautions against capitalism’s potential to be ruthless towards the poor.

Women as Full Partners for Sustainable Prosperity and Security:
Patricia Mitchell stresses the importance of women’s full participation in all aspects of society for achieving sustainable prosperity and long-term security. She cites Israeli former Prime Minister Shimon Peres’ recognition of women’s emancipation as the most significant change in the 20th century. Queen Rania of Jordan’s call to change mindsets that limit women’s possibilities is also mentioned.

Empowering Women through Microfinance and Education:
Mitchell shares examples of initiatives aimed at empowering women in Jordan, such as microfinance programs and job training. She highlights the impact of anti-violence programs and arts-based initiatives in fostering understanding and bridging cultural gaps.

Public-Private Partnerships for Women’s Empowerment in Afghanistan:
Mitchell discusses the Afghanistan-US Women’s Council, a public-private partnership focused on providing resources and support for women’s education, training, and political participation. She highlights the council’s achievements in building schools, establishing women’s resource centers, and promoting full political participation of women in Afghanistan. The new constitution of Afghanistan, which reflects the emancipation of women, is celebrated as a positive step.

The U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council:
A model for women’s participation in governance, with women making up less than 20% of the U.S. Congress. Focuses on training filmmakers, journalists, writers, and storytellers to combat misconceptions and promote productive dialogue.

PBS and Afghan Women Journalists:
Patricia Mitchell, president of PBS, led an initiative to bring Afghan women journalists to the U.S. PBS trained them in using digital cameras and provided them with equipment to make documentaries in Afghanistan. The stories produced by these journalists will be broadcast on PBS in May.

Financing Programs and Women’s Resourcefulness:
Hiba Ezzat of Cairo University in Egypt emphasized the importance of using available talents and resources to fund programs rather than relying solely on external funds. This approach aligns with the traditional resourcefulness of women who have historically started with what they have at hand.

Queen Rania’s Quote:
Patricia Mitchell quoted Queen Rania’s emphasis on women’s participation as complete and effective partners in all fields for achieving development goals.

David Ignatius’ Question to Prince Turki:
David Ignatius asked Prince Turki, a co-chair of the initiative, to discuss his experiences as a Saudi leader in dealing with tensions between modernity and tradition, Islam and the West. Ignatius referred to these tensions as a conflict within Islam, not just between Islam and the West.

Stereotypes and Misconceptions:
Prince Turki shared his experience of arriving in America as a 14-year-old student and facing misconceptions and stereotypes about his background. He recalls being asked if he lived in a tent, highlighting the prevalence of stereotypes. He emphasized the need to overcome these stereotypes through people-to-people contact, practical projects, and understanding each other’s perspectives.

Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation:
Prince Turki mentioned the late King Faisal’s response to Pope Paul VI’s call for people of faith to come together in 1966. He described a remarkable incident during the first Saudi delegation’s visit to the Vatican, where the delegation prayed in the Vatican despite being offered the option to pray at their hotel. He stressed the importance of promoting understanding and cooperation among different faiths.

Extremism and Political Manipulation:
Prince Turki expressed concern about the rise of extremism and extremist ideology, not just in Islam but across all faiths. He emphasized that politics, not faith or social upbringing, turns people into extremists. He highlighted the role of extremists in hijacking faith for political purposes and the damage it causes to societies and individuals.

Social and Economic Reforms in Saudi Arabia:
Prince Turki spoke about the ongoing social, economic, and political reforms in Saudi Arabia. He described the reforms as inclusive of all levels of society and driven by a leadership that recognizes the need for change. He emphasized that the reforms aim to address challenges such as a growing population, extremism, terrorism, economic expectations, and educational standards.

Public Dialogue and the Role of Women:
Prince Turki highlighted the importance of public dialogue in Saudi Arabia, initiated by the Crown Prince. He mentioned upcoming sessions focused on the role of women in Saudi Arabia, addressing aspects like women’s participation, rights, and challenges. He emphasized the need to change customs and long-held beliefs that may hinder progress towards a better world.

Historical Context of Reforms in Saudi Arabia:
Prince Turki emphasized that the issue of reform has been a focus in Saudi Arabia since its inception in 1932. He described the transformation from a tribal and city-state structure to a unified, institution-led social and political cohesion. He mentioned the ongoing development of political institutions in Saudi Arabia.

Prince Turki al Faisal al Sa’ud’s Views on Political Reform:
Prince Turki proposed increased participatory activity in the political sphere, leading to municipal council elections a year later. He emphasized the importance of taking solid and strong steps to avoid setbacks and ensure the sustainability of the reform process. Change in Saudi Arabia will encompass economic, social, religious, and political aspects.

Professor Grayling’s Analysis of Secularism and Western Values:
Secularism aims for neutrality and allows diverse religious viewpoints to flourish without privileging one religion. The West faces a liberal paradox or dilemma: being tolerant and kind can lead to underestimating the significance of Western values. Western values, such as individual liberty, rights, and rule of law, have been hard-won over centuries of struggle. These values are sincerely held and deeply ingrained in Western societies.

Commonalities and Differences between Western and Islamic Civilizations:
Westerners share many fundamental values with Islamic societies, such as the importance of education and the preservation of knowledge. Aristotle and Plato’s ideas were preserved and re-introduced to the West through Islamic scholarship. There are genuine differences and disagreements between the two civilizations, particularly regarding individual liberty, especially women’s rights. Civilized behavior requires discussing commonalities and differences peacefully and respectfully.

Avoiding a Clash of Civilizations:
The focus should be on preventing a clash, rather than healing one that already exists. Civilized discussions and understanding can prevent clashes between those who hold prejudices and refuse to listen. The majority of people on both sides genuinely value their respective traditions and beliefs.

President Musharraf’s Strategy of Enlightened Moderation:
Musharraf’s strategy aims to bring harmony and peace to the world by addressing the feelings of deprivation and hopelessness among Muslims. This two-pronged strategy requires both the Muslim world and the West to take action. The West can support Pakistan’s efforts by understanding Muslim grievances and working towards addressing them.

World’s Role:
The world must address two prongs to combat extremism: Muslim prong: Reject extremism and pursue socioeconomic development. Western prong: Resolve political disputes and aid Muslim world’s socioeconomic growth.

Pakistan’s Efforts:
President Musharraf is fighting terrorism in all forms: Combating Al-Qaeda and Taliban on western borders. Seeking a peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute with India on eastern border. Fighting extremism, sectarianism, and religious extremism within Pakistan.

Personal Perspective:
President Musharraf acknowledges that his efforts have led to extremist attacks on him, but he remains confident and undeterred.

Audience Questions:
Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia, inquires about President Musharraf’s statement that Pakistan and India will not remain enemies forever, highlighting the deeper motivations behind this stance. Ceric also questions the concept of secularism in Europe, given the presence of religious symbols like the cross on state flags and the expectation for soldiers to die in its name.

Pervez Musharraf on India-Pakistan Relations:
Pervez Musharraf acknowledges the economic potential of cooperation between India and Pakistan but recognizes that their conflict is a major obstacle. He emphasizes the need to address all issues, including the Kashmir dispute, through a composite dialogue and stresses that Pakistan is a party to this dispute. Musharraf expresses hope for progress on a path of peace and dialogue, seeking international support to move the dialogue process forward.

Secularism and Tolerance:
Speaker 09 clarifies that secularism is not about opposing religion but about creating a neutral public space where all interests can be accommodated. They acknowledge that some secularists may be hostile to religion but emphasize that secularism is separate from this debate. The speaker illustrates the importance of secularism by citing examples of religious conflicts in public settings.

Prince Turki al Faisal al Sa’ud on Democracy and Reform:
Prince Turki believes that sharing advice between friends is beneficial and that the U.S. effort to promote democracy in the Middle East can be helpful. He observes the fading significance of nation states and territorial integrity, noting the rise of larger communities like the European Union. Prince Turki emphasizes that reform in the Arab and Islamic world must come from within and that it is a long-term process. He clarifies that many in the Muslim world are not hostile to democracy but are working to find their own path toward it.

Struggle for Identity:
The fight against colonialism has shaped the Muslim identity. Any hint of a return to colonial attitudes faces strong resistance. Current events in Iraq, Palestine, and other regions reflect this resistance.

Muslim Identity and the Media:
Muslims in Europe face widespread abuse and discrimination. The Three-Phase Forum, including Sheikh Zaki Badawi, addresses Christian-Jewish-Muslim relations. The Three-Phase Forum, along with the Catholic Church, protested a BBC program that made offensive remarks about Muslims. The media is willing to listen to protests and respond to public opinion. Muslims can use email, writing, and public relations to improve their image and combat discrimination.

The Power of Protest:
The Kilroy Silk episode demonstrates the effectiveness of protest without significant financial resources. Muslims can use their voices to challenge discrimination and promote a positive image of their community.

Media’s Failure to Uphold Standards:
David Ignatius admits media’s frequent failure to meet its promises of fairness, listening, truthfulness, and accurate reporting. He emphasizes the importance of holding media accountable for these failures.

Misrepresentation of Islam in Western Media:
Pervez Musharraf observes two extremes in Western media’s portrayal of Islam: through religious extremists or ultra-modern personalities, ignoring the vast majority of moderate Muslims. He stresses the need to showcase Islam’s true values by featuring moderate voices in the media.

Neglecting International Coverage and Islam’s History:
Patricia Mitchell acknowledges media’s inward focus after the Cold War, resulting in limited coverage of Islam. She highlights the rare airing of a PBS program on Islam in 1999 and its subsequent larger audience when aired again post-9/11, emphasizing the importance of continuous coverage rather than reactive reporting.

Emphasizing Public Service Broadcasting and Dialogue:
Mitchell advocates for public service broadcasters, despite occasional shortcomings, due to their ability to cover underrepresented stories. She emphasizes the significance of dialogue and external counsel to improve media’s understanding and portrayal of Islam.

Appreciation for Efforts to Correct Misrepresentation:
Lord Carey of Clifton expresses gratitude to Sir Sigmund Sturmburg for his dedication to addressing misrepresentations of Islam. He highlights the stark contrast between Kilroy’s statement and the actual values of Islam, calling for a more nuanced and accurate representation.

Lord Carey’s Concerns:
Kilroy’s divisive comments reflect a popular nerve, but he missed an opportunity to engage in respectful dialogue. Enlightened moderation and valuing each other’s traditions are key to resolving tensions between the West and Islam. Kilroy’s suspension is justified.

Prince Turki’s View on Media:
British press often criticizes Saudi Arabia excessively, but it also treats the British government and royal family similarly. Sensationalism sells newspapers, but more balanced reporting is needed.

Council of 100:
The Council focuses on Islam and the West, acknowledging that these are stereotypes representing current global realities. The Council should involve other religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, to contribute their perspectives.

Prince Turki’s Response to Lord Carey’s Question:
In Islam, all prophets from Noah to Muhammad are recognized, while Judaism and Christianity do not recognize Muhammad as a prophet. This difference in religious beliefs explains why mosques are not open in Saudi Arabia, as Christians and Jews are welcome to pray in mosques.

Diverse Representation:
A speaker emphasized the need to include Christian and non-Christian minorities in the discussion of the Islamic world, as they are often overlooked from a Western perspective. The speaker highlighted the remarkable achievements of women in Iran, including a 24-year-old Iranian woman who won an award for her work as a British director.

Praise for Iranian Women:
Patricia Mitchell acknowledged the extraordinary film created by the young Iranian director and highlighted the impressive presence of Iranian documentaries at the Sundance Film Festival.

Response to Question on Democracy in Pakistan:
President Musharraf responded to a question regarding the history of military coups in Pakistan and his commitment to building democratic institutions. He clarified that he was not actively involved in the coup that brought him to power and that he inherited the situation. Musharraf acknowledged past failures of democracy in Pakistan and explained that his administration had analyzed and implemented measures to ensure sustainable democracy in the future.

Clarification on Democracy:
A speaker in a hijab clarified that there are various forms of secularism and democracy, and that each society has its unique characteristics. She stressed that the imposition of a specific model is not appropriate and that cultural differences should be respected.

Understanding Western Secularism:
Western secularism is a complex and diverse phenomenon, with various schools of thought and approaches. The over-militarization of American foreign policy often overshadows interesting philosophical debates on secularism and democracy.

The Debate on Religion in the Public Sphere:
There is an ongoing debate about whether religion should be a conversation stopper or whether religious individuals can participate in the public sphere as equal citizens. The challenge lies in finding a formula that allows for religious expression while maintaining democracy and equality.

The Importance of Mutual Understanding:
Misunderstandings between the West and Muslim societies can have serious consequences for both sides. Attempts to understand Islam from a humanist perspective can be undermined by the West’s betrayal of liberal principles, such as individual freedom and liberties.

The Issue of Religious Symbols in France:
The French version of secularism, based on Rousseau’s civil religion, differs from the Lockean notion of secularism. The French government’s handling of the issue of religious symbols, such as the ban on headscarves in schools, has been controversial.

The United Kingdom’s Approach to Secularism:
The United Kingdom is not a secular state and has an established church. Despite this, the UK has a de facto secular society due to its pragmatic approach and tendency to overlook religious differences.

The United States’ Complex Relationship with Secularism:
The United States is a religious country with a large majority of citizens claiming religious affiliation. However, the US is also fiercely protective of its secular status, as evidenced by the recent debate over the display of the Ten Commandments in a courtroom.

The Principle of Public Neutrality:
Western secularism emphasizes the importance of a neutral public domain. The goal is to provide public services that are genuinely neutral with respect to all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The Dilemma of Religious Expression in Schools:
The case of the young women in France who wanted to wear veils in school highlights the challenges of balancing religious expression with the principle of public neutrality. The French government’s decision to ban the veils has been controversial and has sparked a debate about the limits of secularism.

The Importance of Openness and Cooperation:
The speakers emphasize the need for people to express themselves and engage in open dialogue to promote peaceful coexistence.

Accountability and Transparency:
Lord Kerry and Prince Turki’s initiative is a public and transparent endeavor, inviting scrutiny and accountability from the audience and broader community.

The Seriousness of the Project:
The speakers acknowledge the significance and seriousness of the project, emphasizing its potential impact on promoting peace and understanding.

Council of 100’s Involvement:
The Council of 100, President Musharraf, and other leaders are recognized for their participation and commitment to the project.

Audience Support and Scrutiny:
The audience is encouraged to monitor, support, and contribute to the project’s progress and outcomes.