In the last few years, issues related to human rights have acquired great importance in shaping the character of U.S.-Muslim relations. Many Muslims doubt the seriousness of the U.S. commitment to the cause of human rights and democracy in the Muslim world, believing that the United States applies human rights' standards selectively to suit its strategic and economic interests. Irrespective of the validity of these charges, they are part of the context of the U.S.-Muslim dialogue on human rights that this volume seeks to advance.