Dear FRONTLINE,

I thought your presentation was balanced and open. In exploring the opinions of American Muslims, as well as those of Muslims in ths Sudan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia a picture emerged, for me, of a country, the U.S. intent on domination of the Islamic world. The views expressed by "our" government officials, mostly CIA operatives, paint a picture of cultural and religious indifference, resource exploitation and business protectionism. It is time for a new foreign policy as regards the Middle East.

Peter Bonyun
port townsend, wa

Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you very much for the very interesting and informative program. I as a muslim really appreciate the work and effort put in this documentry, to tell people the truth. I lived in Saudi Arabia most of my life, and I was there during the gulf war. It was very nice of the US to help the kingdom and protect them, but the truth is, only people in Saudi Arabia could see what was happening after the war. It's true that the US troops helped the people, but on the other hand, they didn't respect the islamic laws with in the country. For example, in the islamic religion women are required to cover certain parts of their bodies as advised by the holy prophet, but the female members of the US army were not following these laws. This was seen clearly on the streets of Riaydh. And only god knows the things that they were doing that weren't seen. Even today, the troops and other American citizens in Saudi Arabia are having their gatherings in the compounds and corrupting the young Saudi youth.

Nadir Sid
vancouver, b.c

Dear FRONTLINE,

I don't think we had any business sending troops to Saudia Arabia. However, once we decided to get involved, I think it was a huge mistake not to continue with the program until Sadam and his elite Guard were decimated. This proved to be George Bush's worst political decision in an otherwise brilliant career. The result has been 8 years of shame which continues and continue well into the 21st Century.

Itis no secret that the Muslims of the world hate infidel Christians and Americans. So why then do they clamor to come live here? Why not invite every single one living and hating in this country to return to the sand pile of his/her choice and take their hate with them. Oh yes, tell them not to call us next time one of their tyrants gets out of line.

Walter Miller
baton rouge, la

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am completing a doctorate in Islamic history and have always assumed that only muftis or ulama could issue fatwas, or Islamic legal decisions. I was not aware that bin Laden was so educated/empowered. Could someone in the Muslim community enlighten us as to this matter? If he is NOT a mufti/'alim, why would his "fatwa" carry any weight? Also, could someone please provide his Arabic name in correct transliteration? Thank you. Timothy Furnish

Timothy Furnish
alpharetta, georgia

Dear FRONTLINE,

As a former Agency officer, I find it shameful that the intent of and the professional expertise of this nation's intelligence organizations has been perverted for political expediency yet once again.

Yes, Mr. bin-Laden is not a nice person, and he has been responsible directly or indirectly through his fatwah's for the deaths of Americans at home and abroad, and I am in no way an apologist for the man. However, to rain cruise missiles down on a nation at sleep for the sole intent of making a doomed President look good, based on faulty intelligence, a move pressed forward by Mr. Berger to show the world the President had cajones is a travesty. This rash act against Sudan and Afghanistan probably placed more Americans at risk all over the globe. In the least, it played well into the hands and mindset of Mr. bin-Laden, and probably drove hundreds of score of Moslems to his ranks.

Nice going, Mr. President. Had the Administration allowed the Agency, and the FBI, to quietly conduct true intelligence operations and select covert actions, instead of grandstanding to get Monica off the front pages, perhaps Mr. bin-Laden would be occupying a cell in the United States awaiting trial for his terrorist activities. But, no, this Administration stupidly tried to conduct intelligence operations from the point of a gun, or rather, the tip of a cruise missile and accomplished nothing; nothing save the imminent threat the thousands of Americans and innocent foreigners who may be or will be in the blast zone of future bombings and terrorist acts promulgated by Mr. bin-Laden.

For all his supposed Georgetown University and Oxford international relations savvy, Mr. Clinton is coming out of this looking incredibly stupid, and apparently unconcerned about real threats to Americans overseas and at home. Unfortunately, as a lame-duck, Mr. Clinton will have to bear no consequences of this action, but Americans next week, next month or next year will surely suffer from terrorists acts because of revenge motivated actions inspired by the bombings of Sudan and Afghanistan in the name of trying to "get" Mr. bin-Laden.

It is about time Congress, and the American people, put this whole issue on the table and investigated the travesty of justice and ignorance of Constitutionally mandated authority, so that such rash acts of machismo do not sully our national honor again, nor endanger Americans because a President is without backbone, without shame, and incapable of dealing with the true realities of international relations and diplomacy, to say nothing about the proper and effective use of our intelligence organizations and agencies.

Joseph Eberly
bowling green , ohio

Dear FRONTLINE,

In reviewing your material it occurs to me that Osama bin Laden is a hypocrite. I can't conclude otherwise. He believes in fighting tyranny which most people would find noble. He claims his fight is against the tyranny of the Saudi government. Yet, he offered to help this government in its fight against Iraq.

I wonder why he didn't consider Iraq the liberator of the Saudi people? Certainly Iraq isn't the puppet of the United States. Not once has he brought his fight directly against the Saudi government.

He reminds me of the old Soviet Communist Party which would speak very truthful and reasoned remarks and then act with utter dishonesty.

Leo Zakowski
chicopee, ma

Dear FRONTLINE,

In 1920, and after world war one ended, it was decided by the "United Nations" of that time that the middle east will be under the mandate of the two vicorious allies: France and Pritain. The syrians, who fought side by side with the allies, refused the deal and asked for an independent state. The syrians also asked that America should be the mandate power if they can't have independence.

I asked my self: WHAT HAPPENED? Why Ameria could have been trusted to run the region at that time and why the people in the middle east are so suspecious about american intentions in the area now?

The only answer I can see is the failure of the american policies to be fair and sensitive to the issues of muslims in the middle east.

America provided Israel with unlimited financial, political and military support and gauranteed its superiority over other states in the area. America destroyed the infrastructure of Iraq and imposed the sanctions that killed more than million innocent iraqis (Leaving Saddam in power). America used millitary force to put back in power non-elected Shah of Iran (before he was toppled the second time). and you could go on and on.

That why people are becoming anti-american.

When it comes to terrorism, we should start with definitions. Who is terrorist? Second is recognize the roots for this phenomenon and adjust. THe roots in my openion are in the foriegn policies of the uninted states.

With all respect to the AMERICAN PEOPLE.

Abdul Halabi

Abdul Halabi
chicago, illinois

Dear FRONTLINE,

Dear Frontline,

I would not blame what Usamah have been doing what you Americans call 'terrorist activities'. In fact I think that Usamah is upholding the justice.

1. For examples, what is wrong giving military aids to the Chenchen fighters.They are defending their nation and rights. In fact, what kind of assistance can Usamah afford campared to the hi tech Russians armies.

2. What is wrong giving trainings and assistance to the Bosnian Fighters. They are defending their lifes.

You Americans...you label the people who are trying to help others in needs as terrosits. You wish to see people to be killed without defending their rights. You want the Muslims to die like animals!

You Americans....your actions towards Muslims lately have changed my perceptions towards you. You are not going to help me and the Muslims if we are going to be slaughtered..In fact you will be applausing..

We are very dissappointed to lose hope and once a friend like you.

Now, we are willing to die to defence our rights even we have to kill you Americans.

You have betrayed our friendship and our hope.

muhamad iqbal
kl, malaysia

Dear FRONTLINE,

You revealed the nature of your documentary on Bin Laden in the first few minutes, when the narrator described Muslims praying to "their god".

You would never refer to Jews praying to "their god".

Muslims pray to the god of Abraham and Jesus; i.e., "God" in most conventional writings.

Such ignorance and bias cannot possibly result in an informed documentary.

That you closed with the gentleman poorly expressing his natural right to self-defense, which came across as threatening and isolationist, you matched a perfect bookend to your most ignorant opening comments.

Please offer us something more informative on Islam in the future.

David Lappa
san francisco, california

Dear FRONTLINE,

First, I found the program extremely enlightening and honest. The US has always forced itself and its views on other nations and people. This is nothing new and should not come as a surprise that the US would insert its military arm into any nation that allows it to gain a foothole. Look at our history. I don't think that it was a shock to most of us that the US would remain in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after the Gulf War.

I personally do not think that we should be there. We should learn to mind our own business. We do not have the skills, knowledge or ability to interact with the residents of the Middle East and have usually failed at our attempts to positively interact with other cultures as well. The US is a eurocentric nation with a heavy Christian philosophy. We tend to develop ideas and policies as if we were the only people on the planet.

We have allowed ourselves to be duped by our leaders into believing that we should insert ourselves where ever we please. We are not the world's police force; we are not the guardians of the world's political and economic systems.(Do not forget that the world does not want our interference, either.) Unfortunately, some of those in power in our government have allowed the title of their positions to affect their judgement and will ultimately result in more anti-American sentiment and higher death tolls for those of us traveling around the world.

One final point: If I had interviewed Mr. bin Laden, I would have asked him why he had not taken his terrorist campaign to the heart of the American landscape. This lack of action on his part does not show me that he has read extensively on the motives and strategies of terrorism. I think we understand that he could seriously bring the US government to its knees by bringing his terrorism to the innocence of our social, educational and cultural gatherings.

I applaud your work on this topic and would hope that we all take a serious review of our foreign policy efforts.

J Phelps
groton, ma

Dear FRONTLINE,

This program was like many others, extrememly biased against Islam. As always, you have presented the view of fundemantalist, and failed to interview one person that argues, on the air, the real position of Islam on killing civilians.

As I read the communications posted here by the public, I find far more muslims that recognize that Islam condemns the killing of civilians than those that support the fundemantalists view. Yet, this point of view have not once been mentioned in your program.

It's very explicitly stated in the Quran that fighting, or war, in the name of God should only involve armored soldiers in battle fields in self defense. What Osama bin Laden and his followers are doing is shameful and is the work of cowards.

Heba Al-Barazi
dunn loring, va

Dear FRONTLINE,

I commend you on an excellent program.

The core issue of this struggle is the rationalization of military action based on religion. The US soldiers do what they do "for God and country." Osama Bin Laden believes he is justified by the Quran and that the US infidels should be removed from the Holy soil of Saudi Arabia.

Both groups are mistaken: the US troops act on behalf of a goveRnment whose goal is the perpetuation of itself (not of the USA), and whose motivation is often financial.

Bin Laden is a product of the middle east, where millions have died over a church (temple of Jerusalem) or rock (golgotha). It is not the land that is holy, it is the conduct of those who inhabit the land who make it worthwhile. Bin Laden (if he is responsible for the bombings attributed to him) sullies the sacred soil with his bloody presence.

If there is a God or Allah, he is aware that the arbitrary lines on a map or differences in belief are meaningless. Bin Laden and the US are fighting under the guise of "defenders of the faith". The sad truth is, people are dying because these two are butting heads on who is right. Neither is.

Jude Popp
vancouver, bc

Dear FRONTLINE,

The good thing about a program like this is that it acts as a potent catalyst for all viewers. It makes Americans reconsider their views on American non-Muslims hegemony and cultural imperialism, and it causes Muslims living here to soldify their stance on US policies.

One point that I would like to clear up is the nature in which we, as Muslims, defend our rights according to the laws of Islam. The laws of Islam, as laid down clearly over 14 centuries ago in the Quran and in the teachings and examples of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him), are, in fact, the laws that all PRACTICING Muslims abide by. No questions, no exceptions. These laws command us to respond to oppression and wrongdoing with equal and opposite force until the oppression has completely abated.

Surrender or retreat is not an option. Does this mean that Muslims will fight and die (if need be) for what we believe in? Yes. However, it should be clarified that aggression in war is not part of Islam. We believe in responding to it, but not to provoking it. The embassy bombings in East Africa belong to the category of indiscriminate, callous, malice that cannot be justified according to any religion (at least none that I know of).

So, if Osama bin Laden was indeed involved in the bombings, then he has violated one of the most important laws of Islam, namely that life is sacred and not to be taken except in the way of justice. That justice (as mentioned already) involves retaliation, and since it is not likely that any of the individuals killed in the bombings, Muslim or non-Muslim, were directly hostile towards Islam, none of their deaths could be justified. Period.

Americans should be encourage to learn more about Islam. The best sources are the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). I have been practicing for over three years now, and since coming to Islam while studying in Tanzania, I have continously stressed to non-Muslims that Islam must be understood on its own terms, not according to the media or a few individuals claiming to represent Islam in its entiretly. Don't be fooled into letting one man, who may or may not be correct, into shaping your opinion. Americans should be more critical than that.

Ahmad Abdul-Qadir
detroit, mi

Dear FRONTLINE,

Your program was relatively informative, but very deftly sidestepped the major issues of U.S. policy in the MidEast.

As in Latin America, the U.S. backs thugs and military strongmen in the Middle East. Look at our "allies" in the Arab world - they are either ruling clans like the Sauds or Hashemites or strongmen like Mubarak, Arafat. Both types will do whatever is necessary to remain in power. They brutally suppress all opposition and use religion and nationalism to mask their greed and lust for power.

Imagine being a poor young man growing up in Egypt or the slums of Gaza. You would quickly see that your government is a fraud, relying almost exclusively on billions of dollars of American aid, which can rapidly disappear.

You would see the utter hypocrisy of the U.S. preaching democracy and human rights, while helping to enforce the exact opposite in your own country.

You would see that Israel is held up as a shining example of democracy and human rights in the region. This same country regularly tortures and imprisons Palestinians without trial. Ariel Sharon, one of the leaders of this country is also a war criminal, for his part in the massacres in Lebanon in the early 1980s.

This sense of powerlessness is the perfect breeding ground for zealots like Bin Laden.

Your grossly overstate the sense of anger among Muslims concerning American troops in Saudi Arabia. That whole part was a red herring. The real issue is why the U.S. does not support basic human rights and democracy in the region.

Of course, Americans utterly fail to recognize any of this because their media avoids discussion of these issues. It might make people uncomfortable to think that their government has set up a neo-colonial system, which basically sells out their principles in order to retain economic/strategic stability in the Middle East.

bethesda, md

Dear FRONTLINE,

I like many Americans do not fully understand why some people of Islam have such hatred for us as Americans.Maybe because we are seen as immoral in their eyes. I hope people understand that all people are different and different is not bad. Generally I would like to think that we have less prejudice than in many countries. We are free here to practice any religion we choose as long as we hurt no one. We as a powerful nation are obligated to stand up for those innocents who can not defend themselves.this ironically puts America on the same side as Mr. bin laden. The serbian people are slaughtering thousands of innocent Abainian muslems all the while asking each other, why is the US bombing our country? Please! Do they not wonder what has happened to their neighbors? Do people hate each other so much merely because of their religious beleifs? This is something that I am unable to comprehend. May this is another one of those American traits... I sure hope so !

Deborah Pelkey
bangor, maine

Dear FRONTLINE,

I took exception to the erroneous statements made on your program "The terrorist and the superpower". From the outset , negative statements such as "their god" and "bad Islam" set the tone for misguidance and confusion. Muslims beleive in the one true God whom we call Allah. He is the God for all humanity. Aside from that, the point that was sorely missed is that many human beings are suffereing because they are Muslim and no one seems to be able to explain why. Islam will change the face of the world whether we want to accept it or not.

J Rasheed
new haven, conn

New Content Copyright � 1999 PBS Online and WGBH/FRONTLINE