: Scholar-palooza: Muslim World Leaders Tour U.S.

Muslim scholars from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East came to the US this week to express concerns about extremism and discrimination while on a tour of the country sponsored by the Muslim World League, a Saudi Arabia-based NGO. Although it’s not the first time Muslim leaders have gathered to disassociate themselves from the extremism that culminated in the September 11th attacks, it does mark a rare and direct addressing of the Americans, seen by many as a measure of the Muslim world’s sense of crisis. “(Muslims), like any other people, make mistakes,” said Abdullah al-Turki, the organization’s Secretary General. However, in a move sure to provoke critics, they also pointed out aspects of U.S. foreign policy, claiming they were at the root of anti-American feelings. “There is a difference between justifying something and understanding something,” said Muzzamil Siddiqui, former president of the Islamic Society of North America. “The root of the problem is that people are hopeless. Give them a way out.”

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.