In a world in which a US diplomatic official can assert that “the events of September 11 have brought into sharper focus the importance of recognizing and respecting religious diversity in America and around the world,” one of the chief problems we face is the near-universal unwillingness to face squarely what we are really up against and what we must do about it.
9/11 was not about religious diversity. It was about jihad terrorism. The threat that jihadists present today, not just to the United States, but to Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Israel, Nigeria, and other states all across the world will not be solved by “respecting religious diversity.” It will be solved by speaking forthrightly about the nature of the challenge we face and working to find positive solutions. Ignoring the true nature and source of the problem will only postpone the crisis, and make its ultimate resolution more difficult.
As I have stated many times, what we are facing can only be understood by a close study of the concept of jihad. The jihad ideology is rooted in the Qur’an and Islamic tradition. The longer we postpone confronting that fact, the worse the problem will grow.
That’s one reason why I am honored to be part of the panel for a forthcoming Symposium, –The Radical-Islamist Threat to World Peace and National Security.” This is a Dinner/Symposium sponsored by the People’s Truth Forum, to be held on September 21. The People’s Truth Forum’s “primary objective is to heighten public awareness with respect to matters of national security” — and the more Symposia like this one that can be held, the better informed and more aware the public will be.
Warmly invited are those patriotic Americans who share PTF’s concerns for the future of our nation – especially those interested in learning more about Islamic terrorism and the threat it poses to future generations.
Speakers include Harvey Kushner, author of Holy War On the Home Front; Brigitte Gabriel, a former anchor for world news in the Middle East and a prominent Arab-American journalist; Judith Jacobson, vice-president of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME) and the coordinator of the Columbia University SPME chapter; and me.
I urge you to attend this important event, which promises to be one of the few places in modern-day America where you will be able to hear the truth about what we’re up against. Reservation information here.