Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Ms. Benazir Bhutto, who was assasinated on Dec 27, 2007 when she was about to leave a public gathering in Rawalpindi. just a couple of weeks before her assasination she had completed her new book on a very sensative issue of the relationship between the Muslims and the West. It is very important topic in the background of present disputes among the nations and between the two great religion. She was trying to bridge the gaps and was in favour to begin a reconciliation and peace process.

An Effort of Bridging the Gap Between the Islam and the West

Benazir Bhutto who served twice as the Prime Minister of Pakistan was returned to Pakistan on Oct 18, 2007 after an exiled which was imposed on her by the political rivals. The charismatic leader when landed at Karachi airport, there was a mammoth crowd to receive her.She survived a suicide-bomb attack on the same day while she was leading a public rally. She knew in advance that she could have been attacked by some elements in her country but she continued to forge ahead without any fear and with more conviction, as she felt that time was running out not only for herself but for her nation too.

Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West:

She completed this publication only few days before her arrival in Pakistan. this could be rated as a remarkable publication where she offers a bold agenda for how to tide down the waves of radicalism and to rediscover the values of brotherhood, tolerance, justice and equality that lie in the heart of Islam. She describe the many reasons which forced some Muslims to left the peaceful and pluralistic message of Islam and led them to engage themselves in the war with west. A war which is called terrorism by the West and claimed to be a Jihad or a Holy War by the activist. She pointed out again and again that America and Britain are fueling the sentiment of radicalism by supporting groups that serve only short term interests. By her own experience of having a large exposure of living both in the West and in the Muslim countries she was well versed of the complexities of the conflict between the two sides.

The book is deeply insightful where she has tried to explore the disputable and complicated history between Islamic Countries mainly lies in the Middle East and the West. In search of the roots of international terrorism she pointed out the American support for dictatorship in her own country. These dictator tried their best to destroy the political parties and other organization including judiciary and human rights movements. Apart from speaking out to the West she also appealed to the Muslims to understand the difference between education and ignorance, between modern and radical elements of religion and between dictatorship and democracy. Her book describe itself that she was a great leader. She was an asset of not only Pakistan but the whole world. She was an ambassador of peace. May God keep her soul in the greatest of comfort.

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"It is impossible to understand today's world without knowing Pakistan; and impossible to understand Pakistan without reading this book. A courageous womantragically killedspeaks to us of reconciliation. We owe it to herand to ourselvesto listen, comprehend, and act." -(MADELEINE ALBRIGHT)

"Benazir Bhutto's book is a powerful and insightful analysis of the formidable challenges that confronted an extraordinary woman who paid the ultimate price for daring to attempt to bring democracy to Pakistan. President Kennedy would have called her a Profile in Courage."

-(Ted Kennedy)

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