FRIDAY,SEPT.21,2001
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Islamic theologian criticizes U.S. international relations
By Eve Lamborn
Kansan staff writer
Islamic theologian Abdullahi An-Na'im praised his freedom to speak openly in the United States, but he did not praise the U.S. government during a public lecture last night.
"The moral and political failures of U.S. foreign policy are the cause for massive suffering and frustration in Africa and the Middle East," said the professor of law at Emory University to about 200 in the Dole Human Development Center.
The lecture titled "Islam, human rights and the U.S. foreign policy in Africa and the Middle East," was sponsored by the African Studies Resource Center and the Hall Center for Humanities.
An-Na'im said the United States had a history of undermining international law and international relations through its self-centered actions and double standards. He said the most recent example was when the United States pulled out of the World Conference on Race in early September.
But, he said, the United States needed international law and the help of other nations to retaliate against the terrorists who attacked New York City and Washington, D.C.
"Vindication must be through the rule of law, not the arbitrary use of force, or it will be as terrorist as the attack itself." he said. "You can't morally justify killing civilians in the name of justice."
He called the Sept. 11 attack a challenge and an opportunity
for himself and the audience.
"It's a challenge for me as a Muslim to uphold the law and respect for human rights," he said. "You have a right to exact justice, not revenge."
Tracie Souter, Derby graduate student, said An-Na'im's talk was eye-opening.
He blamed the failures of U.S. foreign policy on the apathy of American citizens toward foreign policy issues.
"These failures could not happen and can't continue without the indifference of the American public to its role in foreign politics," he said.
"He criticized the government, not me, and it made me more ashamed than anything else," she said.
Contact Lamborn at 864-4810
South Park rally counteracts calls for war, unifies students
By Michelle Burhenn Kansan staff writer
While President Bush prepared Congress and the nation for military action last night, about 100 people gathered at South Park to promote a peaceful solution.
Three University of Kansas students, William Justice, Saline County senior, Sarah Hoskinson, Burrton senior, and Galen Turner, Lawrence senior, planned the rally.
The rally was a way to unify those that might feel alone this week as the country seemed to look toward war, he said.
"All that we were hearing called for vengeance," Justice said. "We decided we were going to do something to counteract those sentiments."
Speakers included Allen Hanson, professor of anthropology, Thad Holcombe, Ecumenical Christian Ministries pastor, and Mike Rundle, Lawrence mayor. The featured speakers talked about reflection and unity.
"It's very important that we get together to reflect on where we are and where we are going," Hanson said.
Hanson said that the people of Afghanistan were just as innocent as those killed in the attacks.
"If we respond with war that brings about the deaths of innocent people, then we only perpetuate the death of more innocent persons," he said. "We would operate much like the terrorists' blood feud mentality."
Holcombe said connection was imperative to produce a
strong movement toward peace. He then asked the audience to take a few moments to meet the people around them — the people on whom they must rely.
"The thing we must do is be connected," he said.
After the rally, Jennifer Foster, Merriam senior, said she understood their ideas more clearly.
"I just wished the speakers were a little more detailed," she said. "There was a comment about justice for the criminal. I wish they had said what that would be."
Cassie Sebring, Topea sophomore, said it was good to see a community advocating peace.
"It's nice to know I'm not the only one that feels this way," she said.
Contact Burhenn at 864-4810
Bush: U.S. prepares unites
CONTINED FROM PAGE 1A
Johnson added that despite Bush's strong message, the speech was one for America and its allies and not intended to scare or threaten those behind the terrorist attack.
"The terrorists are getting what they want," he said. "We're all freaked out. We're all tangled up in knots. The stock market is crashing. So I don't see him speaking to them and telling them anything they don't already know."
In the nationally televised primetime address, Bush's fourth since taking office only eight months ago, he tried to explain to a horrified nation the hatred of its enemies.
"The terrorists' directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill all Americans and make no distinctions among military and civilians, including women and children," Bush said.
Even as he spoke of wiping out terrorism, Bush conceded that the violent extremists had already extracted a heavy toll.
While cautioning that Americans need remain on alert, Bush said, "It is my hope that in the months and years ahead, life will return almost to normal."
He asked for patience. He warned of more casualties.
This war against elusive terrorists, he said, "will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat."
He said it would be a war unlike any in history. "It may include dramatic strikes, visible on television, and covert operations, secret even in success."
Still, he assured the nation,
"We'll go back to our lives and routines,
and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass."
The Associated Press contributed to an initiative
The Associated Press contributed to this story
Contact Schultes at 864-4810
Contact Schultes at 864-4810
Here's your last chance to see what you missed in yesterday's issue of the Kansan:
-Greeks organize fundraiser for terrorism victims
- Free for All
- Kansas basketball prospect verbally commits to Kentucky
- Butterfly Kiss opens in Murphy Hall
-Student Senate prepares resolution supporting inclusion of homosexuals in organizations
Get another chance with the kansan.com archives
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