Muslims but support Western interests Thus, Armstrong argues, political and economic factors are behind the clash between some Muslims and the West, and not fundamental religious differences or the tural incompatibility of civilisations. Armstrong disagrees with Huntington's claim of an inherent contradiction between Western and Islamic civilisations. She points out: 'The vast majority of fundamentalists do not take part in acts of violence Although bin Laden began what he described as a 'holy war' against the United States in 1998, 'This is entirely contrary to the central tenets of Islam, which essentially preaches peace. Far from declaring war, as in Laden has done, on "Jewish-Christian crusaders Bin the Koran insists that Muslims treat the "People of the Book" with courtesy and respect. Furthermore, there us th are very few circumstances in which the Koran permits that Sept the declaration of war.