American officials have bent over backwards to show how sensitive they are to Muslim culture. It didn't seem very effective. They seem to be worried about winning the respect of other people.

Summary

This quote highlights the perception that American officials have made significant efforts to demonstrate sensitivity towards Muslim culture, but it has not yielded desirable outcomes. The implication is that these officials are primarily driven by a concern for gaining the respect of others. The quote suggests that despite their efforts, the desired respect may not have been achieved, potentially questioning the effectiveness of their approach.