Ben Barber

The fear of terrorism from Islamic radicals is as strong in Muslim nations as it is in the West, Ben Barber points out in the following viewpoint. To help curb terrorism, Westerners should learn more about the economic, educational, and religious differences among the various Muslim peoples, he contends. Furthermore, government leaders and theologians should encourage academic and cultural exchanges between the Islamic world and the West. Such exchange would foster the tolerance that leads to peace, Barber maintains. Barber is a correspondent for the Washington Times, a daily newspaper.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How were Muslim attitudes toward the West influenced by the media, in Barber’s opinion?
2. Why have some Muslim elites encouraged anti-Western sentiments, according to the author?
3. Why do Islamic fundamentalists reject today...