The Foreign Service Journal, April 2008

A P R I L 2 0 0 8 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 23 he United States risks losing one of the most important struggles of the 21st century: the war of ideas between politically moderate Muslims and radical, violent jihadists over Islam’s role in the world. Though this is primarily an internal struggle, U.S. decisions can make a difference. While the terms “moderate,” “conservative,” “funda- mentalist,” “radical,” “jihadist” and “Islamist ” are used in many different ways, it is useful to keep in mind that people from varying faith backgrounds who are conserv- ative in their expressions of religious belief can simulta- neously be politically moderate in accepting democratic pluralism, secular government and the imperative to resolve disagreements peacefully. Thus, many “funda- mentalists” who believe in the fundamental and some- times literal statements from their holy scriptures are both nonviolent and politically moderate. The experience of USAID’s Europe and Eurasia Bureau is instructive in this regard. Following the end of communism, millions of people explored their religious identity and beliefs for the first time. Widespread mis- sionary activity — including Saudi Wahhabi and Iranian Shia influences — accompanied this spiritual awakening. Thirteen of the 19 countries in the region receiving USAID assistance have significant or majority Muslim populations; 10 of those have experienced wars in which ethnic and religious identity played a central part. Some young Muslims have been drawn into violence and ter- rorism. In short, the region faces the problem of violent Muslim radicalization seen elsewhere in the world. Engaging politically moderate Muslim leaders and institutions has been part of USAID programs in the E&E region since 2001. This article sets out four aspects of making such engagement more effective. Dialogue, Understanding and Sympathy The E&E Bureau’s leadership and staff have engaged in a broad array of respectful dialogues with politically F O C U S O N P O L I T I C A L I S L A M E NGAGING M ODERATE M USLIMS : R ISKS AND R EWARDS W ORKING WITH POLITICALLY MODERATE M USLIM LEADERS AND INSTITUTIONS HAS BEEN PART OF USAID’ S MISSION IN THE E UROPE AND E URASIA REGION SINCE 2001. B Y D AVID A. A TWOOD T David Atwood directs the Office of Democracy, Governance and Social Transition in USAID’s Europe and Eurasia Bureau. He has served with USAID in Mali, Bangladesh and Egypt, and in the agency’s Science and Technology and Africa Bureaus inWashington, D.C. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was a Peace Corps Volun- teer in the Central African Republic. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent official positions of USAID, nor should they be attributed to the following people, whose advice or encouragement are gratefully acknowledged: David Eckerson, Luba Fajfer, Kent Hill, Mohammed Latif, Douglas Menarchik, Marci Moberg and Douglas Rutzen.