U.S. Use of `pillars' Echoes Muslims

By The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 30, 2005; 9:44 PM

-- A Bush administration policy paper outlines eight "pillars" of its strategy to win the war in Iraq _ a word that echoes the five "pillars of Islam," used by Muslims to describe the bases of their faith.

President Bush has angered Muslims in the past with his choice of words, particularly when he called for a "crusade" against al-Qaida soon after the Sept. 11 terror attacks _ recalling in Muslims' eyes the historical Christian Crusades against Islam in the Holy Land.

"Pillar," however, is a more neutral term.

"It doesn't cause a problem like 'crusades,'" said Fahmy Huweidi, a columnist who writes on Islam for Arab newspapers. "I don't think the use of 'pillars' will be seen negatively or positively by Muslims, either as an insult or as a way to gain their support. The word 'pillars' has many uses in the Arabic language, but 'crusades' has just one, and it's seen as negative."

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The eight pillars of U.S. strategy in Iraq:

1. Defeat the terrorists and neutralize the insurgency.

2. Transition Iraq to security self-reliance.

3. Help Iraqis forge a national compact for democratic government.

4. Help Iraq build government capacity and provide essential services.

5. Help Iraq strengthen its economy.

6. Help Iraq strengthen the rule of law and promote civil rights.

7. Increase international support for Iraq

8. Strengthen public understanding of coalition efforts and public isolation of the insurgents.

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The five pillars of Islam:

1. Pronouncing the "shehada," or testimony of faith: "There is no god but God and Muhammad is his prophet."

2. Prayer.

3. Fasting from sunrise to sunset in the holy month of Ramadan.

4. Performing the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.

5. Giving alms, or "zakat."

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On the Net:

National Security Counil policy paper:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/iraq(underscore)strategy(underscore)nov2005 .

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© 2005 The Associated Press