As an American Muslim, I think it was an ingenious idea to go to and report—very generously—on the closely confined Saudi Arabia [“Postcards from Saudi Arabia,” December]. For Peter Schilling to penetrate Saudi and report on it firsthand is absolutely honorable, since the Saudi government obstructs others (including many Muslims) from coming into its country to learn, live, or understand what Saudi Arabia is. What is admirable is that someone, against many odds, decided to report on a culture that many western governments try very hard to thrash, demean, and typify as close-minded and backward. Oh, not to mention a terrorist-breeding nation. Mr. Schilling’s report proves to many wary and cynical people that Muslims are generous—“unexpected generosity” took Mr. Schilling by storm! And although “unexpected,” Muslims the world over are just that. Failure to reach out to the rest of the world is what barricades most Westerners from realizing what is actually out there and real. It’s exactly why people such as “Fearful Jim” exist the world over, wary of Muslims and who they really are.
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