A key question often asked about Islamic extremism is "where is the moderate Muslim response" to acts of terrorism such as the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and other civilian targets around the world? Dr Dicky Sofjan, an Asian Public Intellectual (API) Fellow (2007/8) from Indonesia, dealt with this topic at a recent symposium at The Nippon Foundation.

In a wide ranging review of Muslim responses to extremist acts, Dr Sofjan pointed out some underlying historical factors that often factor into the moderate Muslim response to terrorist violence against U.S. and Western targets. While condemning violence against innocent people, moderates also want the West to consider the precipitating factors of growing Islamic anger.

He mentioned the overthrow of Iran's Prime Minister Mossadegh in 1952-53 by the CIA as a modern historical starting point. Another example is resentment in Indonesia against the United States for supporting the Indonesian military's coup d'etat in the 1960s--something that led to unpopular crackdowns against Islamic groups in that country.

Then followed U.S. support for Iraq and Saddam Hussein in his brutal war against Iran and the Kurds. But most of all, moderate Muslims find it particularly hard to understand America's "blatant, uncritical support of Israel," said Dr Sofjan. This gives the impression "of many double standards and hypocrisy about U.S. policies towards Muslims," he added, and makes it hard to win hearts and minds in the Islamic world.

Further, Dr. Sofjan discussed the wide variety of views within the Islamic world regarding the concept of "moderate Islam." He pointed out that there are Muslims who believe that there is no moderate or non-moderate Islam; there is just Islam. Some say that Islam is already a moderate religion. Others criticize the connotation of "moderate" Muslims as "secular, impious" or "Westoxicated." He also stressed the fact that among Muslims there are those who consider themselves part of what is called "progressive Islam," who represent "freedom thinking" Muslims. These Muslims, he states, want such things as constructive engagement with modernity and gender justice, an Islamic form of feminism. This school of thought says that Islam is basically progressive but Muslims themselves have not been, and that there is a need to reinvent tradition in the context of modern life. This will do justice to Islam and to humanity, according to the progressive Muslims.

Although his talk about the thinking of moderate Muslims was entitled "The Sound of Silence," Dr Sofjan's description of the issues and dilemmas facing moderate Muslims was a clear, eloquent and balanced voice in the midst of the struggle for the soul of one of the world's great religions.

These culturally important API forums and research fellowships are supported by the Nippon Foundation.