Of course, if Islamic countries really want to dispel "stereotypes" of Islam, they could move energetically against Islamic supremacist initiatives in all their forms, and triumphalist proclamations by Islamic clerics of how Islam will soon take over Europe and the West, and rein in those who commit violence and justify it with reference to Islamic texts and teachings.Naaah. Sports and entertainment projects are easier.
"Islam: OneWorld 2011, Initiative To Defeat Stereotypes," from ANSAmed, January 13
DUBAI, JANUARY 13 - Today in Dubai, OneWorld 2011 was presented, an ambitious project that aims to defeat stereotypes and misunderstandings between Muslims and the West by creating and event-movement founded on sharing sports, art, entrepreneurship, and reciprocal understanding.
The initiative will be inaugurated in Seattle (USA) on the 10th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York, and will involve at least 40 Muslim countries.
The initiative is founded on seven essential elements: youth exchange programmes, with both sides hosting youngsters for at least a month; sports, with football tournaments - mainly women's - between young Americans and Muslims; an art and cultural festival; a trade bazaar that will gather hundreds of entrepreneurs from both sides; a medical conference; a conference dedicated to women; and an inter-religious conference that has already received the full support of U.S. President Barack Obama.
"The idea was born seven years ago, due to the climate created after the 9/11 attacks, but the conditions for the start of a real project, which will begin as an event that will last for just a few months, but intends constantly evolve, were set in place only after the election of President Obama," explained Bob Walsh, the creator and founder of OneWorld 2011, while speaking to ANSAmed. Walsh is not new to these kinds of initiatives; in 1990, together with Ted turner [sic] he organised the Goodwill Game to bring down the iron curtain between the Russians and Americans.
After the inaugural event in Seattle, OneWorld will be repeated every two years in a different Muslim capital city.With thanks to JihadWatch
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