Washington, D.C.: The world is waiting for the release of the Osama bin Laden tape in which he comments about the World Trade Center bombings. What do you know about it?

Raghida Dergham: We are still waiting for the tape however, from what we know and if true, it is supposed to provide two elements of the proof. One is the prior knowledge of Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and secondly and maybe more importantly, that some of the operatives were sent on suicide missions unknowingly. If true, this will resound in many different sectors of public opinion in the Arab and Islamic world, both moderates and radicals, as it exposes the side of his personality that has the sense of betrayal of his own loyal followers. However, this is now going to eliminate the skeptics nor will it overwhelmingly win over those who have upheld the so-called conspiracy theory.

Fairfax, Va.: How related are the war in Afghanistan and the Arab-Israeli ongoing conflict?

Raghida Dergham: There will be no total victory in the war against terrorism unless the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is resolved fairly. The Palestinian cause is fundamentally rooted in the minds and hearts of Arabs and Muslims. Should the Israeli government headed by Mr. Ariel Sharon, consider the coalition's victory over terrorism as a license to continue its current policies, then the coalition's victory remains in question. It is essential that pressure is put on the extremists and militants everywhere, not only amongst Muslims an Arabs but also amongst Israelis and Jews. Extremism will take away the victory particularly if it's claimed by Israeli extremists as a license.

Alexandria, Va.: Your picture indicates that you dress in the western style with face and hair uncovered and with some cosmetics.

Are there places in the Arab world where you cannot go wearing such attire?

Raghida Dergham: Yes. In certain societies women are not supposed to wear makeup or the western attire in public, but there is a general misconception that this is the case in most of the Arab and Islamic world. This is a misconception.

Bethesda, Md.: How are news organiztions in the Muslim world (e.g. Al Jazeera) depicting the fall of the Taliban, the coalition's pursuit of al Qaeda and its role in rebuilding Afghanistan? Also, how will this affect Western-Islamic relations?

Raghida Dergham: The American media has taken to celebrate Al Jazeera and dump it in one breath, as if it were the only network in the Arab world. There are many other networks though Al Jazeera was the pioneer in breaking the mold of extreme censorship.

There are many different points of view through the Arab media as is the case here in the U.S. Taliban was never a celebrated regime or cause for Arabs. They actually may have known too little about it in the past. I would think the majority of Arab public opinion, what I would call the moderates, has been largely silent leaving the radicals to put their messages out loud. I am not denying that there are a radical few that support Al Qaeda and bin Laden. But there is a large segment that is angry and frustrated with American policies towards the region, particularly when absolving Israel. But this segment is not loyal to bin Laden nor does it see in al Qaeda the way out.

There is fear that Afghanistan will be deserted once the coalition's job is over so it is really quite important for the U.S. and the international community to stay the course and not quit Afghanistan once the military operations are over successfully.

Western-Islamic relations are going on in cooperation. The defeat of militant Islamic fundamentalism is not only an American goal. It has been the goal of many Arab regimes in the 90's. However, the only obstacle to an ongoing improvement in Muslim-Western relations is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. If not resolved in what would give the Palestinians a viable state of their own, the relationship is likely to sour.

Stockton, Calif.: What is the general opinion of Middle Eastern people as far as the current U.S. war against Terrorism in Afghanistan ? Support, against or neutral?

Raghida Dergham: You have all of the above in this diversified public opinion. Some think that there was no other way but to pursue the al Qaeda in Afghanistan post-Sept. 11 and sheds no tears over the fall of Taliban. Some believe that there is an American hidden agenda and fear that the cocky American will display the military might in several Muslim and Arab countries to come. Others look at this in the context of American interest in the natural resources in the Caspian Sea. And others take up the wait and see attitude before they pass a judgment.

Alexandria, Va.: Afghanistan is one of the largest producers in the world of the drug heroin. Does the Northern Alliance control the heroin trade? What will the US and world community do to eradicate this in the new Afghanistan?

Raghida Dergham: The Northern Alliance had ruled in Afghanistan before Taliban took over and their record has much to criticize, be it towards women or in the drug trade. If the international community fails to eradicate the legacy of the past and the dependence on drug trafficking, its efforts will be doomed to failure on the long run. Rebuilding Afghanistan should mean empowering Afghanistan to recover and lead a normal life. Their pain has been multiplied due to internal and external factors. Afghanistan must not be betrayed again.

Philadelphia, Pa.: Have the anti-American protests in western Pakistan died down now that the Taliban have been defeated? What is the conventional wisdom in Queta regarding the downfall of the Taliban? Is there still alot of anger directed at the United States?

Raghida Dergham: The anger directed at the U.S. has come largely from two distinctive quarters: 1. The extreme militant radicals who not only hated America for everything it stands for but have vowed to kick out American presence in the Arab and Islamic -- be in the American military presence in the Gulf or the McDonald's and Coke franchises and 2. Those who have an argument with American policies and not with American personality or American people. Paramount amongst these policies is the utter support of Israel ever when Israeli is defiant of the U.S. itself. Nowadays there is a lot of anger with Mr. Sharon's attempt to impose his extremist agenda under the banner of fighting terrorism to forge a partnership with the U.S. that resembles a joint venture against Arabs and Muslims. The Bush Administration has launched a very important initiative that calls for an end of Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands, and establishment of a viable Palestinian state and an end to settlements. Mr. Sharon seems to be trying to escape these demands, that it why he's upping the ante. This should not discourage the administration from staying the course because in the end there is no other solution but the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and an end to occupation.

washingtonpost.com: Raghida Dergham had to leave for an appointment. She will return again soon at another date.

Thank you for your questions.