Robert Gates, now the new Secretary of Defense. Writing in the New York Times on August 16th, 1998, in a vain effort to block the mindless bombing four days later of the Al Shifa pharmaceutical plant in the Sudan, Gates stated prophetically, 'The war [against terrorism] is the quintessential 'long, twilight struggle,' with limited casualties on the terrorists' side, occasional appalling casualties on our side, and countless victims caught in between.  We can bring some terrorists to justice.  But, above all, we can pursue policies and strategies that in the long term weaken terrorism's roots.' [...]

 

A major problem for Muslims in America is their own focus on themselves rather than on the bigger picture.  As a result, even at their best, they have been crude amateurs in the political arena, reminding one of children in a family whose only argument in a name—calling contest is 'you started it.' [...] 

 

In other words, Muslims need to build on the universal principles shared by the world religions in a common mission to apply justice as the criterion and purpose of all public policy.  Stated differently, on contrast to the mission of CAIR, the highest mission of Muslims in America should be to enhance understanding of America in the world, help America empower others, promote coalitions of Americans and non—Americans, and enhance mutual understanding and cooperation in bringing out the best of America's past in order to shape a better global future.