Published in LA Times on 3/13/2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-lew-islam15mar15,1,2620628.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

I would like to congratulate Sultan for her well-intentioned efforts to promote reform in the Arab and Islamic world. Yet despite her courage and fortitude, I am sad to say that her tactics, such as a recent debate with a Muslim cleric on Al Jazeera, will actually weaken the noble cause of reform. To understand why, we need only rely on our basic political common sense and the concept of "know your audience." Reformers should remember that Arabs and Muslims, in general, are ultraconservative and deeply religious. Therefore, they are unlikely to respond in a positive manner to a woman appearing on Arab TV unveiled, proudly asserting that she does not believe in God. Sultan's appearance on Al Jazeera had the approximate impact of a tattooed, body-pierced, pro-abortion, flag-burning, gay communist debating Rush Limbaugh on the Fox News Channel, trying to sway the audience toward a liberal philosophy. Would anyone consider that a successful tactic?

Even more troubling and perplexing, however, is the fact that my conservative Republican colleagues continue to heap praise on ultraliberal atheist Arabs. This obvious failure to know our audience and promote messengers with credibility indicates just how little progress we have made in understanding the Arab and Muslim mentality — and how poorly equipped the United States remains to properly encourage much-needed reform and implement successful policies in this critically important region.

GEORGE AJJAN