In early January, Search for Common Ground and CBI convened a distinguished group of American leaders with diverse political viewpoints, cultural backgrounds and professional skills for a Summit on U.S. Engagement with the Global Muslim Community. Together, they launched a two-year project to begin reversing the downward spiral in U.S. relations with the Muslim world.

The project on U.S. Engagement with the Global Muslim Community will create new strategies that represent the best thinking of these leaders, informed by in-depth dialogue with the public. The project aims to:

  • Create a coherent, broad-based and bipartisan set of strategies to improve relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world;
  • Communicate and advocate those strategies in ways that shift U.S. public opinion and contribute to changes in U.S. policies, and public and private actions.

The January Leadership Summit, and the ongoing Project on U.S. Engagement with the Global Muslim Community, have been convened by Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and CBI, in partnership with Viewpoint Learning, a public opinion research organization founded by Dan Yankelovich. The project has received generous financial support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation, and Mr. George Russell, Jr. CBI Managing Director David Fairman is co-directing the project with SFCG-USA Executive Director Rob Fersh.

The project responds to widespread anxiety among U.S. leaders and the public about trends in U.S. relations with the Muslim world.

Polling data show that majorities in most Muslim countries hold an unfavorable view of the United States. This view is driven by Muslims’ perceptions that the U.S. is inflaming conflicts in the Muslim world, supporting repressive governments in Muslim countries, and disrespecting Muslim religion and culture. In the U.S., polls show that many Americans hold unfavorable views of Muslims despite limited understanding of their cultures and concerns:

  • 45% of Americans see Muslims as violent
  • 35% of Americans see Muslims as arrogant
  • 40% of Americans perceive Muslims as fanatical
  • Even as 56% of all Americans admit they know little or nothing about people living in Muslim countries.

Nonetheless, members of the public in Muslim countries and the U.S. want to improve relations. Pluralities or majorities across the Muslim world wish for better relations but question whether the U.S. does. By a two to one margin, Americans believe there has been too much emphasis on military force and not enough on economic, political, and diplomatic initiatives to improve relations and restore America’s standing in the Muslim world.

There is a growing sense that new initiatives are needed on every level, from high-level diplomacy to grassroots, people-to-people contact. Although there are many ongoing programs and projects, there has not yet been a national dialogue across the U.S. about the sources of tension in U.S. relations with Muslim countries and communities, or about strategies that could improve relations while strengthening U.S. and international peace and security.

The Leadership Summit began the process of creating a new set of strategies. Its participants were an exceptionally diverse, bipartisan group including a former Secretary of State, former members of Congress, a leading U.S. expert and former envoy on the Middle East peace process, Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious and cultural leaders, philanthropists, business leaders, and experts on foreign policy, public opinion, conflict resolution, and the psychology of extremists.

For two days, this remarkable group explored several critical questions: Where do relations stand today? What are the major drivers of tension and conflict? How could those tensions and conflicts be addressed in ways that meet the concerns of both the U.S. and Muslim countries? How could the project on U.S. Engagement with the Global Muslim Community best contribute to progress? The participants noted the depth of mutual misunderstanding and misperceptions of each other’s interests and values; the global importance of geopolitical conflict in the Middle East; the underlying challenge of economic and political difficulties in many Muslim countries and communities; and began to discuss opportunities for addressing all of these challenges.

Members of the group committed to further discussion, planning and action to engage the American public and leaders in education and dialogue. Currently, the project team is working with the Leadership Group to develop strategy choices, plan for public engagement, and develop effective language to frame and convey the issues.

During the second half of this year, the Leadership Group will seek input from cross-sections of the American public, and will reach out to leaders of key constituencies–in foreign policy, electoral politics, business, media, and religious communities–to seek their ideas on ways to improve relations. In the fall, the Leadership Group will frame key challenges, choices and recommendations for improving relations.

The Group will release a Report early in 2008, seeking substantial media coverage. During 2008, Leadership Group members will brief decision makers and opinion makers across the country. The project team will also collaborate with public affairs groups to disseminate the Report and supporting materials widely across America.