U.S. State Dept. begins dialogue to understand the culture, religion of Islam

WASHINGTON -- The State Department has launched a dialogue with American Muslim activists in an attempt to understand modern Islam and the religious element in national conflicts.

State Department officials said the meetings began after Islamic leaders in the United States complained that Islamic states in the Middle East and Africa were unfairly portrayed by the media and misunderstood in U.S. foreign policy.

"We began the Islamic Roundtable in order to understand the issues coming from moderate America Islam as it relates to Muslim thinking and Islam around the world," said Robert Seiple, recently confirmed as U.S.ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. "I think we're making headway. I don't profess to have come to this job with a great sense of what modern Islam is. But I have begun to understand the beauty and richness of the faith and how it is has been so terribly misconstrued both within the faith and outside it."

Seiple said he hopes the dialogue will be adopted by other agencies in the U.S. government. He said the conclusions of the roundtable would be implemented within the State Department.

"We obviously need to take what we learn at these roundtables and implement it, otherwise they are nothing more than therapy sessions," he said.

U.S. officials said the Clinton administration has made a serious effort to meet with American Muslim groups and discuss their concerns. Some American Jewish critics said the Muslim groups include those that have defended Islamic terrorist attacks in Israel and the West.

Seiple said in his job he has visited Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, and several European and Central Asian countries. This month, he plans to visit Turkey and perhaps Greece.