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We are a diverse group of young students, bloggers, and activists who strive for coexistence through democracy and democracy through coexistence. <p>We realize that there are many young people in the Middle East today who are frustrated and desire democracy, but unfortunately, they don’t practice it on an individual level. You often hear such people demanding their right to things such as freedom of speech, and yet when they hear other people saying things they don’t like or agree with, they resort to violence. We at Mideast Youth stand against this type of attitude and condemn it. We want to promote “bridge building.” Our enemies are extremism and intolerance and we stand against any ideology that possesses those two traits. Hence by default we also stand against anybody that carries such ideologies. This “anybody” can be al-Qaeda, Neo-Nazis, extremist Zionists or the KKK.</p> <p>Most people just want to live in a peaceful and tolerant society but we <em>must</em> realize that it is we, the <em>individuals</em>, who constitute a society. It is we, the <em>individuals</em>, who are the building blocks and bricks of “the house of democracy.” If we can’t practice tolerance and have mutual respect towards one another, then how on earth can we achieve the goal of a healthy functioning democracy?</p> <p>We understand that different people perceive the word “democracy” differently from one another. To us here at Mideast Youth, the word “democracy” essentially means mutual respect and tolerance. It means battling each other through the ballot box and intellectual means. It means nurturing and valuing the marketplace of ideas. It means losing an election and accepting it as a temporary defeat. It means good will and peaceful coexistence.</p> <p>The blog on Mideast Youth is shared by people from completely different countries and backgrounds, therefore not all of us hold the same opinions regarding certain issues, most of which are sensitive, such as the status of women in Islam, modern Zionism or whether the current war in Iraq is justified or not. However, we debate these serious matters while maintaining respect for each other at all times, despite our radical differences. </p> <p>While we debate controversial issues, we keep in mind that Mideast Youth is an “online cyber democracy.” We keep in mind that tolerance and mutual respect should always exist amongst us no matter how much our opinions differ. Last but most certainly not least, we do our best to practice what we preach.</p> <p>Mideast Youth welcomes and encourages you to contribute, especially if you want to address your opinions and concerns to a young and active audience. If interested, please either <a href="http://www.mideastyouth.com/contact-us">contact us</a> or visit our <a href="http://www.mideastyouth.com/forums" target="blank">forums.</a></p> <p>We leave you with these words: Listen. Read. <em>Think.</em></p>
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