The world conference on ‘interfaith dialogue’ organized under the aegis of Saudi King Abdulla recently concluded in Madrid with a unanimous resolve to fight terrorism. Over 300 hundred delegates belonging to different faiths such as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism participated in the moot. The landmark gathering passed a declaration condemning terrorism and stressing the need to address its root causes to achieve justice and stability in the world.
This conference is significant in many ways; it has come at a time when the menace of terrorism is spiraling out of control. It is threatening not only western life style, but Muslim way of living as well. It has hurt both Muslims and non-Muslims. Terrorism has metamorphosed into a Frankenstein, which thrives upon inequalities, injustices, discrimination, destitution and political marginalization. It was rightly noted and highlighted in the declaration that: “Terrorism is a worldwide phenomenon and requires international efforts to combat it in a serious, responsible and just way."
Events of September 11, 2001 were horrendous and a crime against humanity. No sane person or nation can condone such acts of barbarism and brutality. But the way Bush administration tackled this phenomenon through excessive, indiscriminate and blind use of force has further exacerbated the situation than checking the growth of terrorism. Carpet bombing, surgical strikes, dropping of daisy cutters, ruthless killing of innocent civilians, and American disdain for international law and sidelining all the alternative voices dwarfed the scenes witnessed on the fateful day of September 11, 2001. 
War on terror has entered its seventh year, but the situation is far from satisfactory. What to talk of success, the menace of terrorism has increased manifolds. Use of force and sheer reliance on military means has proved counterproductive and ineffective.  Right now, there is an impasse in war on terror and it is safe to say that counter-terrorism efforts are bearing no fruits. 
Today Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan’s tribal areas are simmering with extremist tendencies and they have allegedly become safe havens for terrorist who have reestablished their infrastructure in these areas, breeding nurseries of terrorism with voluntary young recruits (unemployed, disenchanted, frustrated and aggrieved) readily available. This sorry state of affairs is indeed, disturbing and appalling for peace-loving and law-abiding people of the world.
In such times, when things are going from bad to worse, what we need is an alternative discourse which not only bridges gaps between Muslims and the West, but between other religions of the world as well. An enhanced understanding through increased interaction, which was the main objective of this moot, will acquaint people of different faiths with norms, traditions and ways of living of other religions, thus removing deep-seated suspicions and misgivings about each other.
Conventional wisdom teaches us that terror breeds more terror and violence generates more violence. So combating terrorism through terror will bear no fruit. Without addressing the root causes like unresolved and long standing political disputes namely Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq etc., without changing dual policies of championing democracy, but supporting authoritarian and dictatorial regimes throughout Middle East, Central Asia and other Muslim countries, without giving up this clichéd mind frame that “if all Muslim are not terrorists then all the terrorists are Muslims”, without renouncing this notion that “clash of civilization” is inevitable, without relinquishing the racial profiling of Muslims, without portraying Muslims as a threat and backward forces bent upon converting non-Muslims to Islam through sword else or kill them things will remain the same. And we will continue drifting down into the dark abyss of chaos and mayhem.
But it takes two to tango. Muslim world not only needs to understand the genuine apprehensions of the West, but also to take concrete steps to allay those fears. Charity begins at home and if we cannot put our own house in order then expecting that the West will be sincere in resolving disputes that affect us or will change its attitude towards us is a wishful thinking.
We must get out own act together first and fine tune the problems besieging Muslim world. Instead of blaming the West for all our ills and failures, we should accept that we have given up the path of knowledge and enlightenment. Instead of indulging in the blame game Muslim countries need to reconcile to themselves that until and unless they do not change their current situation by overhauling their socio-economic conditions, dream of a dignified treatment on equal footing by the West will remain illusive. Change is a process that comes from within. Muslim countries need to do serious soul searching to sort out their weaknesses and then must work accordingly to overcome those vulnerabilities. It is easy to heap blame on the West than accepting our own failures. Today, the cause of Muslim countries’ humiliation, misery, suffering, negligible political clout and unenviable economic record is not West’s strength to manipulate us, but our own weakness to be exploited at the hands of West.            
We need to understand the underlying motivations and root causes of terrorism. There is a dire need to highlight the commonalities between the Abrahamic religions, which are more than the differences. Islam, Christianity and Judaism have same roots, shared common heritage and history. All are monotheists and believe in life after death. Our antecedents peacefully coexisted and learnt from each other. European transition from dark ages to enlightenment and reformation was influenced by Islamic ideals and great achievements by Muslims in field of science and technology in medieval ages. Today we can do the same by learning from West’s experience.
Reactionary attitude, recourse to violence and indulging in shameful acts of terrorism has earned us nothing, but a bad to name. It is ironic that while we highlight the peace-loving message of Islam, our fellow brethren malign the same religion by killing non-combatants. Such cowardly acts of barbarism and inhumanity will only deteriorate the already messy situation instead of leading towards a solution. All Muslim countries should join their heads and seriously think to isolate extremist elements who resort to violence to super-impose their views on others. Failure to do so will push us further deep into the dark whole of ignorance and humiliation.
While there is deep-seated skepticism and hostile attitude of the West towards the Muslim world and vice versa, sane voices do exist in both quarters as well. People like John Esposito, Noam Chomsky, Karen Armstrong, Muhammad Kahtimi, Mehmood Mamdani, Tariq Ramadan can lead us towards a minimal common ground for starting such a dialogue to make this world a more peaceful, prosperous, safe and secure place.