War on Terror 'uniting' Muslims by Barney Zwartz The Age 1:49pm 14th Feb, 2004   February 14, 2004    The war on terror is unifying the world's Muslims against the West, according to Dr Patricia Martinez, one of Asia's leading experts on Islam.    "There have been considerable differences between Muslims all over the world, from radicals to moderates to reformers, but they are coming together in a siege mentality, feeling under attack," she said.    Dr Martinez, of Malaysia's Asia-Europe Institute and the University of Malaya, is in Melbourne for an international conference on Muslim-Christian relations, hosted by the University of Melbourne's Asialink Centre. She said the sense of victimhood brought a silencing dynamic to Islam. "Self-criticising Muslims are told to shut up, we don't need to air our dirty linen."    Another grave problem was that the war was defining how the world engaged with Islam and vice versa. "It's a frightening development that we are looking at each other only through the lens of the war on terror."    Dr Martinez said it was important for Americans to remember they were not alone in this war, Muslim governments were involved too.    "A whole lot of terrorists are not able to get to America but blow up hotels etc in Asia. It's not helpful for America to see itself as the ultimate victim or ultimate target, other countries are also dealing with Muslim extremists."    She said Australia was sending an ambivalent message to Asia, working hard to build bridges but losing credibility by its refugee policy and especially the deputy sheriff label used by Prime Minister John Howard.    "Resentment against the West, including Australia, is deep and growing. But we shouldn't translate that to say therefore people become terrorists. There are many layers of complexity. "Feeling insulted and victimised is a strong emotion, but it takes a lot more before someone enacts planned violence."    About 70 religious, academic and community leaders have attended the conference from Britain, Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
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