Peaceful Efforts in the Middle East

by Mark Siljander, Staff Writer

Ironically, as I attempted to spotlight centuries of misunderstandings between East and West, a few key Republican-based government officials (Pres. Bush and colleagues) misunderstood my promotion of peace with Muslims and my book offering solutions to bridge East-West tensions.

Rather than perceiving my work as a help to more intelligent diplomacy and responsible foreign policy, it was interpreted by some as an attempt to sabotage certain ideologically based policies.

On the contrary, all aspects of foreign engagement depend on and are strengthened by each other, when applied strategically. As a member of the Veteran’s Affairs committee during my first term in Congress, I have always felt strongly for our veterans. The thousands who create a strong military defense as the backbone behind peaceful overtures are crucial in order for an intelligent diplomacy to work. Yet in past administrations, our defense agencies have been asked to take a surprisingly offensive stance, wielded aggressively in propagating ideologies that might have been more easily spread through peaceful measures.

Far from sabotage, my efforts are aimed at reducing bloodshed and creating space for trust to develop between nations. When a team of like-minded individuals visited Saddam’s regime in 2002 as an attempt to gain cooperation; we hoped to divert from the impending onset of war. While Iraq’s leaders were surprisingly open, top U.S. officials were not.

To those regular readers familiar with my legal dilemma and indictment in Jan. ‘08, due to my association with a Muslim charity, I personally understand how disparaging it can be to promote fresh approaches to the Middle East conflict and not fall into your own "pit" while attempting to break new ground.

Fortunately, the message in my book, A Deadly Misunderstanding, A Congressman’s Quest to Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide, is newsworthy beyond my personal challenges and we are buoyed by a groundswell of interest and traction.

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My wife Nancy and I returned home from a very successful book tour in Washington, DC and Minneapolis, MN in mid June. The days were packed and exhausting, but we left encouraged at each engagement.

A reception for my legal defense was hosted by fm Atty. Gen. Ed Meese and co-sponsored by fm Congressman Bob McEwen; U.S. Army Lieutenant General Teddy Allen (ret); Professor Bob Destro, Catholic Law School (fm dean); Dr. Tawfik Hamid, Author, Inside Jihad; Ambassador Mouloud Said, Western Sahara; fm Undersecretary of the Army Joe Reeder (Clinton) and 150 other attendees. I was so moved I could hardly speak! Hard to believe, I know, me, a politician-speechless. Nancy and I were truly touched by the outpouring of love and support. Our 18-year-old son, Mark, aptly manned the door and demonstrated his support for dad. My book sold well, endorsed by the host committee.

We then departed for Minnesota where we met our Airman daughter, Laura, who took the train from Minot Air Force Base to Minnesota. We are extremely proud of her. She was deployed along the Kuwait/Iraq border with our troops in 2007. (I was privileged to visit Laura on her birthday at Ali Al Salem Air Force Base and observe our tremendous servicemen and women). She has requested redeployment to Iraq, but her stateside work has proven invaluable to the Air Force.

I also spoke at a conference that was predominantly geared to Christian missionaries, presenting the book and its discoveries on how to bridge the Muslim-Christian divide. The emphasis of the manuscript is: how to avoid needless war, enhance diplomacy, profoundly impact conflict resolution and undermine radical Muslims. The book table at the event nearly sold out!

Friday night, after speaking at a Muslim community center, we sold more books than Muslims in attendance (a good sign). Finally, Sunday morning, I spoke to an overflowing crowd after the service at Colonial Church in Minneapolis; a book-signing table was set up in the lobby. After my speech the top Imam in Minnesota stood and asked to speak. He said they originally had set up a speech at the mosque expecting hundreds of Muslims to hear me, but after "googling" my name and reading the highly inflammatory and mostly incorrect remarks made during my indictment, this understandably gave them second thoughts. They altered their plans and instead, had a few dozen Muslims come to hear me at a nearby community center. He essentially expressed regret in front of hundreds of Christians for the slight. What an unfortunate example of the pressure felt by our American Muslim friends by a sometimes prejudicial and over reaching government.

There were many private meetings and several dinners with leaders, scholars, students, etc. We felt bolstered and deeply blessed, moving forward in our efforts.

Mark Siljander is a former Republican U.S. congressman & deputy U.S./U.N. ambassador and author of A Deadly Misunderstanding; A Congressman’s Quest to Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide (Harper One, 2008). www.ADeadlyMisunderstanding.com 

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