Adrian College political science professor Muqtedar Khan was writing about Osama Bin Laden long before the terrorist attacks in September. Soon after, he was thrust into the spotlight, and media outlets from across the nation have turned to him for his perspective as an American Muslim scholar. Below are excerpts.

"The abandonment of Afghanistan - devastated materially by war and spiritually by war mentality - is coming back to haunt the United States. Enter Pakistan's Taliban and the persona of Osama bin Laden."

-The Globalist, April 23, 2001

It baffles the mind to watch American Muslim leaders waffle over condemning Bin Laden as a terrorist who is misappropriating Islamic ideals and incriminating Islam in his campaign of terror. This man has undermined decades of hard work by these very same leaders to make Islam more acceptable in America.

-Salon.com, Nov. 14

"We're at a turning point," says Muqtedar Khan, director of international studies at Adrian College in Michigan. "If the American assault on terrorism is perceived as an all-out attack on Islam, then even moderate Muslims will be radicalized and turn anti-American."

-The Wall Street Journal, Sept. 21

It is time for soul searching. How can the message of Muhammad, who was sent as mercy to mankind, become a source of horror and fear? How can Islam inspire thousands of youth to dedicate their lives to killing others?

It is time that we acknowledge that the freedoms we enjoy in the U.S. are more desirable to us than superficial solidarity with the Muslim world. If you disagree, then prove it by packing your bags and going to whichever Muslim country you identify with. If you do not leave and do not acknowledge that you would rather live here than anywhere else, know that you are being hypocritical.

-"Memo to American Muslims," GlocalEye.org (Dr. Kahn's Web site), Oct. 5. See next excerpt.

"Unable to sleep, Muqtedar Khan got up at 3 a.m. and went to his computer. Within an hour, the Michigan-based political scientist had posted "A Memo to American Muslims" on his Web site..The Oct. 5 memo has generated more than 230,000 hits to Khan's Web site. Many Muslims responded favorably, but many others did not. A colleague of Khan said he had overreacted, and a childhood friend told him he had "sold out to America."

As that incident illustrates, the events of Sept. 11 have sparked a vigorous debate among American Muslims about the competing demands of religious solidarity and national identity."

-Washington Post, Nov. 19

It is not a hatred of democracy and freedom but the desire for them that has made many Muslims hate the United States, whom they blame for the perpetuation of undemocratic polities in their world..

Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait are just a few examples of states where nondemocratic regimes thrive and repress popular movements with U.S. support. The U.S. government finds it more convenient to dominate the region by negotiating with a handful of elites rather than coming to terms with the region's public opinion..

Americans must take these grievances seriously and address them in good faith. That is the best way to fight resentment, anger and the resulting violence.

-The Detroit News, Oct. 26

Dr. Muqtedar Khan is assistant professor of political science at Adrian College. He earned his Ph.D. in International Relations, Political Philosophy, and Islamic Political Thought from Georgetown University. For links to more Dr. Khan articles, visit www.adrian.edu (Search for "Khan," or type www.adrian.edu/news/muqtedar_khan).

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