"Improving the Image of Islam"

The Financial Times of yesterday, November 12th carried an intriguing and hopeful article on "Saudis...Move to Improve Image of Islam." Since the 9/11 attacks, Islam is often thought as radical, fanatic, and a propeller of terrorism. Saudi Arabia has especially come under a harsh spotlight, accused of "breeding extremism." In a move to counteract this negative image of Islam and its own portrayal in the western world, Saudi Arabia is hosting a 2-day conference at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York encouraging interfaith dialogue. It hopes that this event marks the beginning of an "image of Islam as a religion that favors dialogue over violence." Since last year, King Abdullah, the king of Saudi Arabia has participated and led multi faith dialogues with other religions and with various Muslim sects.

While the king's actions on promoting multi faith dialogues internationall is lauded, many locals Saudis complain of discrimination in their own country due to their differing religious beliefs. Many have voiced the hypocrisy of King Abdullah, who seems determined to change the way world views Islam yet he denies his own people the freedom of religion.


Although it has to be recognized that King Abdullah does indeed needs to improve religious tolerance in his own country, it cannot be denied that the need of and for this event is equally critical. It is extremely satisfying to see King Abdullah taking the initiative to promote Islam in an interfaith setting. Opening dialogues between Islam and the world, especially the western world, is a necessary and important step to eradicating and preventing misconceptions and stereotypes of the Islamic religion and improving its image.