NOV. 17 marks the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. This is a time of self-sacrifice, restraint and renewed devotion, similar to Lent in Christianity. United States war planners currently are under a lot of pressure to accelerate the campaign in Afghanistan because of this upcoming Muslim practice. If the United States cannot successfully end the fighting and finish the war before the month of Ramadan, then the military should step up the fighting. If it is not possible to do so, it would be unsound politically and militarily to take a break from fighting in order to avoid stepping on al-Qaeda's toes.
President George W. Bush has made sure to emphasize that the United States is not at war with Islam. In order to exemplify this, it might be a good idea for him to respect the practices of Muslims. "The Indian Muslim is sure that what is happening is wrong, but he is not sure what he can do to stop it," said Indian analyst Asghar Wajahat, a professor at the Islamic Jamia Milia University ("America should be wary of bombing during Ramadan," Montana Kaimin, Oct. 23). Attacks during Ramadan might push the already frustrated Muslims toward the wrong end of the war.
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Diplomatically, the United States would like to keep all outside parties happy, and wreaking havoc within a country during a religious period of worship could enrage some Muslims. "One would hope and wish that this campaign comes to an end before the month of Ramadan, and one would hope for restraint during the month of Ramadan, because this certainly would have some negative effects in the Muslim world," Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf remarked on CNN'S "Larry King Live" last week. Although we would like to keep all outside parties as neutral as possible during this time, we cannot risk our own nation's security just to remain politically correct.
The United States should not operate under a religious deadline because it would serve only to aid the Taliban while potentially harming America. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld commented last week at a Pentagon news briefing, "History is replete with instances where Muslim nations have fought among themselves or with other countries during various important holy days for religion, and it has not inhibited them historically." If the military has not yet finished its war efforts by the onset of Ramadan Nov. 17, it would be an unwise military tactic for the United States to break from fighting in order to observe religious sensibilities. This type of long-term break would serve to allow al-Qaeda to regroup and strengthen its forces while also affording a chance to plan possible counterattacks on the United States. We cannot willingly grant a cease- fire for Ramadan knowing that there is a possibility of it having a negative effect on our whole country.
The United States already should have learned its lesson during the Vietnam War, when U.S. forces allowed a break from fighting in order to observe Tet, the Vietnamese new year. While the U.S. troops relaxed, the Viet Cong jumped on the opportunity to wage a large-scale attack on U.S. forces. This now is known as the Tet offensive.
We are fighting a terrorist organization that wrongly used the name of religion to attack us. America could respect the Muslim religion and the observance of Ramadan for civilians. However, to make potentially self-destructive accommodations for our enemy, based on their calendar, would allow their forces unnecessary opportunities to take advantage of their religion in order to harm the United States once more.
The United States should strive to be finished with all war efforts by the time Nov. 17 arrives. However, if we still are attacking when the holy month begins, we should not then suddenly take a month-long break. The United States would be allowing al-Qaeda too much time to build up what we already have worked hard to destroy. This is a mistake we cannot afford, as the consequences would just add to the gravity of the situation already at hand.
(Alex Roosenburg is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
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