This Sunday, I was privileged with an invitation to attend the conference at La Sorbonne University, hosted by Queen Rania of Jordan. I found the conference to be quite moving and inspiring not to mention Queen Rania was absolutely exquisite. She is not only compellingly intelligent but disarmingly poised. She impeccably addressed the crowd with affection and commanded the podium with such adeptness and knowledge of the world's major humanitarian concerns of today. She is perhaps one of the most eloquent and captivating speakers I have ever heard. Her two-hour discourse and interview was given without one minute falter, stutter, incomplete thought or unclear message. With optimal use of the English language (Arabic being her native language) she began her speech with an anecdote that brought the crowd to a burst of laughter. This queen even has a good sense of humor!
HM Queen Rania is undoubtedly the face of modern royalty and is a wonderful representation of an Arab, a Muslim, and a Mother. She is constantly taken with her non-stop philanthropic work with poverty, women rights, children's issues and initiating dialogue with young people across the world to challenge Arab stereotypes.
She gave a speech and was addressed by questions from a student panel on the discussion of Civil Engagement. Civil Engagement described by Queen Rania is the sense of dedicating ourselves to the betterment of humanity…and working -- as individuals and together -- for understanding, global harmony, and peace.
Photo: Queen Rania of Jordan on April 6, 2008 at La Sorbonne University in Paris. photo taken by me.
Below is my favorite part of her speech....
For me, as an Arab, a Muslim and a mother of four, the schism that worries me most is the growing gulf of perception and trust between the Muslim world and the West. The only people who benefit from our disunity are the extremists – the very forces who threaten the hopes we all share for a brighter tomorrow.
Too often, this rift is reflected and reinforced by the tone of our interactions – whether the issue is how to balance the right to free speech with the need for respect among faiths… or the wearing of religious symbols… or the root causes of conflict… or immigration… or Islam itself. Instead of joining in conversation, each side feels that the other is shouting. Both sides feel increasingly aggrieved. Emotions overtake fact.
And just as troubling, our lack of empathy for each other can limit our own potential for progress. Because when we are blind to one other’s point of view, we often cease to look inward as well.
We know that as Muslims, we cannot complain that we are negatively stereotyped by the West, unless we ourselves address some of the factors behind those perceptions.
And while we are right to deplore Islamophobia, and the branding of Muslims as terrorists… we must face up to the fact that many terrorist attacks in recent years have been committed by people who wrongly claim to be acting in the name of Islam.
And I cannot speak for the West…I cannot suggest the issues for introspection or the areas for self-assessment, but I hope that all of you will think about what they might be… because building cross-cultural acceptance has to be a two-way street.
Dialogue requires us all to take part… to speak… to share… and to listen.
We must break that cycle. We have to restore a sense of shared humanity… of connection… compassion… and willingness to stand in one another’s shoes.
And it may sound daunting. But I believe there is real cause for optimism too – starting with the findings of a fascinating poll that Gallup released earlier this year.
On the one hand, the poll shows that many in Europe and the United States are convinced the Muslim world isn’t committed to improving relations with the West.
Likewise, large majorities in every Middle Eastern country surveyed said they don’t think the West is committed to better relations with the Muslim world.
At the same time, people on both sides say, in overwhelming numbers, that the quality of the relationship between the Muslim and Western worlds is something important to them.
In other words: East and West both honestly believe it is important to fix the relationship. But both sides genuinely think that the other side doesn’t feel the same way.
So the problem isn’t that people don’t care. It’s that they don’t see their caring reflected. They don’t perceive an equal sense of commitment from the other side.
We can change this. But we have to start by dismantling mutual stereotypes. We have to reject easy caricatures in favor of close inspection – whether we’re dealing with matters of integration and assimilation… or international relations more broadly… or the simple act of getting to know others different from ourselves.
That’s why I recently set up a YouTube account, so that the YouTubers everywhere can join me in a cyber conversation, and break down the damaging stereotypes of the Arab world which malign my region and its people. I hope to show viewers everywhere the truth about the part of the world I cherish and call home.
And the interesting thing is that as we exchange knowledge, we forge friendships in the process…virtual handshakes are extended, and new paths of understanding and acceptance are formed.
It’s that kind of caring that matters; and it can’t be decreed or imposed from above. It has to emerge from the bottom up… one open mind and open heart at a time.
Thank you very much.
HM Queen Rania is undoubtedly the face of modern royalty and is a wonderful representation of an Arab, a Muslim, and a Mother. She is constantly taken with her non-stop philanthropic work with poverty, women rights, children's issues and initiating dialogue with young people across the world to challenge Arab stereotypes.
She gave a speech and was addressed by questions from a student panel on the discussion of Civil Engagement. Civil Engagement described by Queen Rania is the sense of dedicating ourselves to the betterment of humanity…and working -- as individuals and together -- for understanding, global harmony, and peace.
Photo: Queen Rania of Jordan on April 6, 2008 at La Sorbonne University in Paris. photo taken by me.
Below is my favorite part of her speech....
For me, as an Arab, a Muslim and a mother of four, the schism that worries me most is the growing gulf of perception and trust between the Muslim world and the West. The only people who benefit from our disunity are the extremists – the very forces who threaten the hopes we all share for a brighter tomorrow.
Too often, this rift is reflected and reinforced by the tone of our interactions – whether the issue is how to balance the right to free speech with the need for respect among faiths… or the wearing of religious symbols… or the root causes of conflict… or immigration… or Islam itself. Instead of joining in conversation, each side feels that the other is shouting. Both sides feel increasingly aggrieved. Emotions overtake fact.
And just as troubling, our lack of empathy for each other can limit our own potential for progress. Because when we are blind to one other’s point of view, we often cease to look inward as well.
We know that as Muslims, we cannot complain that we are negatively stereotyped by the West, unless we ourselves address some of the factors behind those perceptions.
And while we are right to deplore Islamophobia, and the branding of Muslims as terrorists… we must face up to the fact that many terrorist attacks in recent years have been committed by people who wrongly claim to be acting in the name of Islam.
And I cannot speak for the West…I cannot suggest the issues for introspection or the areas for self-assessment, but I hope that all of you will think about what they might be… because building cross-cultural acceptance has to be a two-way street.
Dialogue requires us all to take part… to speak… to share… and to listen.
We must break that cycle. We have to restore a sense of shared humanity… of connection… compassion… and willingness to stand in one another’s shoes.
And it may sound daunting. But I believe there is real cause for optimism too – starting with the findings of a fascinating poll that Gallup released earlier this year.
On the one hand, the poll shows that many in Europe and the United States are convinced the Muslim world isn’t committed to improving relations with the West.
Likewise, large majorities in every Middle Eastern country surveyed said they don’t think the West is committed to better relations with the Muslim world.
At the same time, people on both sides say, in overwhelming numbers, that the quality of the relationship between the Muslim and Western worlds is something important to them.
In other words: East and West both honestly believe it is important to fix the relationship. But both sides genuinely think that the other side doesn’t feel the same way.
So the problem isn’t that people don’t care. It’s that they don’t see their caring reflected. They don’t perceive an equal sense of commitment from the other side.
We can change this. But we have to start by dismantling mutual stereotypes. We have to reject easy caricatures in favor of close inspection – whether we’re dealing with matters of integration and assimilation… or international relations more broadly… or the simple act of getting to know others different from ourselves.
That’s why I recently set up a YouTube account, so that the YouTubers everywhere can join me in a cyber conversation, and break down the damaging stereotypes of the Arab world which malign my region and its people. I hope to show viewers everywhere the truth about the part of the world I cherish and call home.
And the interesting thing is that as we exchange knowledge, we forge friendships in the process…virtual handshakes are extended, and new paths of understanding and acceptance are formed.
It’s that kind of caring that matters; and it can’t be decreed or imposed from above. It has to emerge from the bottom up… one open mind and open heart at a time.
Thank you very much.
Click here for Speech---http://www.californiawomen.org/conference_media.html
4 comments:
It is absolutely amazing how this woman is one of the greatest public speakers i have ever heard, not only beautiful but smart and well spoken... I really enjoyed this story...
yes it was a blunder, just say it.
Thank u for writing this piece...very well written... and as a muslim woman who lived in the west, I really appreciate it when I see an open minded indidual who understands where we come from and wants to educate people about it by posting such material. I think Queen Rania is one of the most influential women( not only in the arab world) but around the globe and it's always refreshing to read her speeches. keep up the good work.
Very good story ,keep it up!!- Tariq.
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