"For those who believe in change, in the need for cooperation and for improving relations between the North and the South, for those who believe in progress, a proper understanding of Islam as it manifests itself in the region today is essential. This is true not only for people in the North but also for people who like us live in the South and who cannot pretend that it is easy to deal with all the complex consequences of the gaining of power by fundamentalist Islamic groups, in society and in our daily life. For example, the Islamic movement Hamas is struggling against the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Progressive people like ourselves support this struggle and yet oppose Hamas on other issues."