Two sides of the coin

Let's face it boys and girls - both sides cannot understand the others point of view without spending some time in eachothers shoes. You cannot judge a person because of where he lives (ie - the West) or by to who and how he prays (ie Muslims). It is simple stereotyping and both sides are very guilty of this. Before you condem one side or the other, I must ask if you really know them - or are you just relying on opinions you see on the news or that others tell you. I have been personally friends with Muslims that are not fanatical or violent - I have also been friends with Westerners that are not selfish or immoral. I know first hand that both sides are wrong. Spend a little time trying to understand who you hate and you might find that you lose the basis for that hate. No good can come of blind dislike - the way to a lasting peace is through words - not arms.

Researchers canvassed the opinions of 14,000 people in 13 countries and came up with some good numbers on the gulf between the West and Muslims - and perhaps a bit of hope too.

Many Westerners see Muslims as fanatical, violent and intolerant, according to the study by the Pew Research Center in Washington.

Muslims, for their part, tend to view the West as selfish, immoral, and greedy - as well as fanatical and violent...

Westerners, by large margins, do not regard Muslims as "respectful of women", while majorities in four of the five Muslim countries said the same about the West.