language is the key
Reader comment on article: Teach Arabic or Recruit Extremists?

Submitted by Rebecca Moulds (United States), Sep 11, 2007 at 23:25

Learning a foreign language, as well as the culture, is the key to true understanding of that culture, and that must be applied to Arabic, as it is with other languages. Unless more people in the West learn Arabic, then the disparity between cultures will only widen, and more people will become totally disillusioned with Islam.

Sadly in this country, there is a severe lack of interest of learning foreign languages and cultures. People in authority, in particular the FBI, CIA etc. must employ more Arabic-speaking individuals and teach Arabic. In many countries around the world, English is a mandatory foreign language, even in grade and middle schools. The diversity of foreign languages offered for middle and high school students in this country isn't sufficient enough for the 21st Century. What better way to beat Islamism than to be fluent in Arabic? The more ears that are attuned to hearing it, the faster terror plots may be discovered. Who knows, Arabic may become the new "Japanese." Perhaps some day the moderate Muslims will get fed up being clumped together with Islamists, come out of hiding, and teach Arabic and Islamic culture where it's most needed.

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