AMERICAN HISTORY

America and the Muslim World

In the international realm , the relationship between America and the Muslim world is one of conflict and hostility , especially because of the 9 /11 bombings of the World Trade Center . After the bombing of the said building , the United States launched an offensive against Afghanistan and later Iraq , which are predominantly Muslim countries . These acts won the US the ire of several countries , but more so by the Muslim world

The first confrontation between America and the Muslim world occurred in the early nineteenth century . This was

when President Thomas Jefferson fought against Muslim pirates in the area of what are now Algeria Libya , Tunisia and Morocco - they were called Barbary States back then The ships of America that were traversing the seas near these areas and they were harassed by the pirates from these area

The pirates would harass and enslave the crews and the passengers of these ships . When these pirates were asked about the reason behind their assault against the ships of America , they claimed that any nation that does not recognize the authority of the Koran and of the Barbary States is considered as infidels and sinners . It would therefore be the duty of those who belong to the said states to make war against those that they consider as sinners and infidels . The enemies that can be captured will be turned into slaves while the Muslims who died in the battle are assured of their place in heaven

In this period of history , there is already the element of the Koran being used to justify the attacks made against America . The examples of these Barbary States were seen as an example of government , which the young United States could not follow . For one , state-sponsored religion is very much evident and the framers of the American Constitution could not approve of that

The alternatives were to either pay the tribute to the Barbary States or to wage war against them . There were Americans who believed that it was better to pay the tribute . However , the tribute amounted to almost 10 of the over them . Due to the cunning of Thomas Jefferson , the war against these Barbary States was waged and the policy of paying tribute to them was forgotten . Although the fighters of the Barbary States were fierce and cruel , America responded with alacrity , which gave momentum to their counter-attacks against these pirates

On the whole , the first encounter of America with the Muslim world particularly with the pirates of the Barbary States helped forge its national unity and gave credence to its fledgling constitution . Although it was fresh from the conflict with Britain , it managed to establish its naval fleet and respond to the pirates with resolve

This first encounter of America with the Muslim world draws several parallels to the modern-day situation of the country . Because of the attacks from these pirates and modern-day terrorists , America tends to draw closer together and inspire unity among its people to support...