"Our special envoy will listen to and learn from representatives from Muslim states, and will share with them America's views and values."

So vowed President George W Bush during a visit to the Islamic Center in Washington last month. The president is reportedly ready to send an envoy to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in an attempt to exert some influence over the largest Muslim body.

As always, to what extent will the president listen to and learn from the Muslim communities worldwide is up in the air; what is certain is the eagerness of the Bush administration to ensure American values are spread across the Islamic world. He has been seeking to do just that since the Sept 11 attacks in 2001, aided by US apologists around the globe.

But the drastic responses, from the arguably justifiable war on the Taliban regime to the totally insane military adventure in Iraq, the aftermath of which continues to produce horrendous civilian deaths, have decided that any endeavour to that effect is futile.

A diehard US lackey will contend deaths are sometimes necessary in order to bring about lasting good. But for one to make such crude remarks is akin to rubbing salt into the wound. Coping with the pain, grief and sorrow of the loss of human life is not as easy as putting a plaster on a broken hand. Only the victim's family understands how it feels to experience sudden bereavement, especially when it comes under tragic circumstances.

Many have watched with concern the spiraling decline of US image over the last few years, and are convinced that it has reached a point of no return. To some, it is the ultimate outcome of a toxic brew of provincialism, jingoism and sheer ignorance has come together to shape the Bush White House's outlook on the world.

To salvage the deteriorating international perception of the US, Bush appointed Karen Hughes as his spin master and tasked her with leading efforts to promote "American values" and to confront "ideological support for terrorism around the world". Ironically, part of these efforts included a tour to the Middle East and other Muslim countries, Indonesia and Malaysia being among them.

Hughes was well received by many eagerly awaiting pro-Bush "analysts" in Kuala Lumpur, while in Jakarta, her incorrect statement that Saddam Hussein had gassed "hundreds of thousands of Iraqis" created uproar and drew strong criticisms from Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Hughes was most probably referring to the shocking and heart-wrenching gas attacks on Halabja as ordered by Saddam, but the accepted figure of casualties hovers around thousands.

No harm in trying

In any case, by making the whirlwind tour of the Muslim world a key part of her policy, Hughes has invariably left us with the impression that terrorism has, in one way or another, Islamic roots. I am personally not surprised that none of her efforts has borne fruit so far.

Just two weeks ago, the Pentagon deployed the Enterprise, a famous US aircraft carrier, to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet area of operations, which includes the Gulf. Analysts believe it is not meant for an attack on Iran, but as a bargaining chip in the negotiations with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the bellicose president, over US policy in Iraq. But any extreme move against Tehran will be interpreted as yet another provocation against the Muslim world nonetheless.

Malaysia, being chair of the OIC, can only welcome the announcement by Bush. Known for nothing other than diplomatic niceties, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has no reasons to reject such a move.

Moreover, precedents have been set in this regard, as there are countries with sizeable Muslim populations, such as Russia and Thailand, who are granted observer status by the OIC.

I certainly do not dispute the right of the US to send an envoy to the OIC, but whether or not such an attempt will be truly effective remains to be seen, especially when the Bush administration's emphasis is on "sharing American values", rather than gauging the feelings and understanding the unique Weltanschauung of Muslim countries.

To be fair, the OIC does not enjoy a very high standing internationally. Its attempt to mobilize the Muslim communities against proposed UN sanctions on Sudan over Darfur is deplorable, to say the least. The OIC has always been quick to assert violations by others against Muslim communities, while too coy in condemning the culprits among them.

It might do the group some good if certain human rights notions are adopted. The US does have its own fair share in human rights violations, but one must not throw the baby out with the bath water.

There is no harm in trying anyway. But since Bush and his hawkish cohorts love to proclaim their heavenly devotion, it would be to their benefit to bear in mind that man proposes as he likes, but God only disposes when he sees fit.