10/30/07: Bush should seek dialogue, not confrontation, with Iran

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Detroit News Faith and policy

Bush should seek dialogue, not confrontation, with Iran

Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi

As citizens of this blessed and beautiful land, Americans are called to save our country and the rest of our human family from a possible "World War III." The declaration last Thursday by the Bush administration of the harshest sanctions against since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and calling "the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism" foreshadows a new tragedy in the .

Tens of thousands of Americans staged anti-war rallies across the country to condemn President Bush's warmongering policies in . On , we should follow the lead of these American patriots, who would love to see their country become a source of hope and human harmony rather than of fear and intimidation.

There are bigger issues than . There is turmoil in ; terrorism continues in ; 93 percent of the world's heroin comes from ; brutalizes , and another confrontation brews in , while the Iraqi mess and misery continue.

But the administration beats the drums for another war in the region. The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said on CNN on Sunday that he had no evidence that is building nuclear weapons. He expressed concern about the escalating rhetoric and how the is adding fuel to the fire.

In slapping sanctions on , the administration is isolating itself and putting the economy at risk. , , the non-aligned countries and the Muslim world all call for dialogue and reject war against . Many Americans consider any pre-emptive attack on to be immoral and illegal. Former President Jimmy Carter recently told CBS that diplomacy, not military action, is the best approach with .

Bush is ignoring James Baker's Iraq Study Group and all voices of wisdom, including 's U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and U.S. Reps. John Dingell and John Conyers.

Why would we deny , with a population of 75 million, from having a peaceful nuclear facility for generating electricity like many other nations? This is 's right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. never even signed the treaty, yet it is the only power with the ability to launch atomic weapons.

When asked by a Counterpunch newsletter writer why the clause forbidding war on Iran without congressional approval was taken out of the recent congressional supplemental funding for the Iraq war, U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano answered, "AIPAC!" for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was not allowed to go to Ground Zero to pay respect to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, yet he invited the president to go to any university in and talk to the academic community. Our country needs to end this antagonistic policy of confrontation, isolation and insult.

After all, has pledged $560 million over five years for helping to rebuild . Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said, "So far, has been a helper and a solution." And Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki recently said has a "positive and constructive" role in helping improve security in .

It's time to talk and walk the truth. The cannot afford another war. To protect the integrity and security of our nation, Americans must promote dialogue and understanding rather than Islamophobia and false accusations. May the Lord lead us on the journey to justice and peace.

Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi heads the Islamic House of Wisdom