Policies for a Better Future

14th Century Muslim scholar Ibn Khaldun is regarded as the founder of modern sociology. In his landmark study, the "Muqaddimah" (Introduction), Ibn Khaldun explained the rise and fall of civilizations in a theory that continues to influence the way we think about society and culture. Our web-based policy center evokes Ibn Khaldun's spirit of enlightened analysis and criticism. We invite you to join us in this great tradition of critical inquiry.

White Papers on America, American Muslim Life, and the Muslim World

The AIC spotlights intellectual work on a variety of topics, though generally within the guidelines of our Statement of Principles. We encourage thoughtful analysis of current events, innovative proposals for social and economic development, and unusual but provocative collaborations. If you have an idea for a piece, email us an abstract. Focus areas include:

• Iraq's Silenced Majority - Zainab Al-Suwaij in the New York Times
• Daniel Pearl Memorial - "A Better World in Memory of Daniel Pearl" (from the Boston Globe)
• "Are We Doing the Right Thing?": America and Iraq - from the Los Angeles Times
• Reforming the Iraqi Education System Post-Saddam Hussein
• Iraqi People Yearn to Taste Freedom Again - Zainab Al-Suwaij in USA Today
• Defending a Muslim American Activist in Egyptian - Ahmed H. al-Rahim in the Boston Globe
• What America Owes Iraq - Zainab Al-Suwaij in the Wall Street Journal

• Combating the root causes of terrorism

• Community Heroes Bombarded daily by negative images of Muslims in the media, the American public — including American Muslims — needs to recognize our country's many inspiring Muslim citizens. These American heroes serve not only as alternative images to media saturation of Al-Qaeda members, but also as role models who exemplify a commitment to America, to building tolerance, and to assisting development in the Muslim world. Check this space soon for portraits of Muslim American heroes.

  Strengthening civil society and struggling for social justice
• Assessing the impact of globalization
• Proposing economic development projects
• Resolving conflicts within the Muslim world
• Examining religious reform initiatives

For many American Muslims, September 11 has prompted new insights on many of these topics. Read some noteworthy articles, including pieces by AIC members, in our "Time of Reckoning" collection.

Web-archived Media Appearances:

• National Public Radio: The Connection - Voices from Iraq
• National Public Radio: Talk of the Nation - American Muslim Politics

Jum'ah Reflections: Meditations Inspired by Traditional Texts

Friday is the Muslim holy day, known as Yawm al-Jum'ah. Philosophical ruminations, or Jum'ah Reflections, explore themes of tolerance, truth, beauty, self-improvement, social justice, and more through traditional Muslim texts. Excerpts from the Qu'ran, the hadith (sayings of the prophet Muhammad), and other classical Muslim texts inspire new insights on age-old ideas. To submit a Jum'ah Reflection, email us at jumah@aicongress.org.

• The Tree of Truth
• Attribution