Contents

Preface

There is a growing conviction worldwide of the necessity of moving the cultural, civilizational and human action from the stage of dialogue among cultures and civilizations to that of the alliance of civilizations and cultures. This constitutes a natural response to the changing course of the human thought as well as an answer to the imperatives of the current historical juncture which bears heavily on human communities, posing hard challenges to the nations and peoples of the world. There is no rational way to rise to these challenges other than effective and constructive dialogue that favours human progress and brings new perspectives for the modern man and civilization. Dialogue as such is likely to blossom into international relations based on the principles of international law and to grow into the alliance of civilizations and cultures in the true sense of the word.

The International Symposium on "Human Civilizations and Cultures: from Dialogue to Alliance", held by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization -ISESCO- in cooperation with the Tunisian Ministry of Culture and Heritage Preservation, under the high patronage of His Excellency President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and whose papers and recommendations are published in this book, marked a milestone in the course of ISESCO’s outstanding and rewarding action aimed at disseminating the culture of justice, peace, dialogue, coexistence and mutual understanding among peoples, promoting the alliance of civilizations and cultures and setting a wide platform of cooperation and association with the international and regional organisations working for the common objectives of progress, prosperity and development.

The in-depth conclusions of the symposium laid strong emphasis on the alliance of civilizations as a principle of international law and a chief foundation of international relations. It contributes a great deal to the rapprochement between peoples and nations, helps elucidate the accumulated intrinsic setbacks of reciprocal misunderstanding and constitutes one of the best ways of addressing the negative ramifications of globalization, of stimulating co-operation and solidarity among peoples and eliminating all forms of preferential judgement and dichotomisation favouring the clash of civilizations.

Experience has taught us that alliance is the choice of the wise and a joint responsibility of the entire humanity. It is incumbent mainly upon decision makers irrespective of rank and hierarchy as well as upon the intellectual, cultural and media elites worldwide, the aim being to work together towards a peaceful world for the present and future generations.

In a world thronging with mutations and economic, social, scientific, technological and civilizational challenges to the developing countries’ endeavour to acquire the musts of revival and progress, and within an international context characterized by overlapping interests that add to the violability of international law principles, humanity has to draw bridges of understanding, coexistence, tolerance and reconciliation through dialogue as a means of the alliance of civilizations and cultures.

This should basically involve all relevant stakeholders of the international community in such way as to foster world peace and security and to offer new opportunities of co-operation and common interest for the world’s nations and peoples, in an attempt to strengthen international relations through an innovative dynamism and further international humanitarian co-operation based on mutual respect, hence on interdependence.

The sought alliance of civilizations, as stated in the Tunis Declaration on the Alliance of Civilizations, builds on the values shared by all human beings and the principles of right, justice and mutual respect, abides by the rules of international law and champions human rights, tolerance, citizenship and democracy. It opens up wide horizons for the mutual understanding of peoples and communities, and favours rapprochement and cross-fertilization between civilizations, resting on the points of convergence, within the framework of objectivity and impartiality when dealing with the other at all levels, excluding the distortion of truths and the disrespectful depiction of others, of their religious symbols and their cultural and civilizational specificities.

The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization appreciates, the Tunisian Republic’s hosting of a number of conferences and symposia on tolerance, dialogue and alliance of civilizations and cultures. Indeed, Tunisia has vowed itself to this straight path, working for the noble objectives we are pursuing in ISESCO, namely the civilizational renewal of the Islamic world in terms of education, science and culture as part of its role in enriching the human civilization.

Seizing the opportunity of introducing this publication to the reader, I would like to express ISESCO’s appreciation of the civilizational role of the Tunisian Republic, under the leadership of His Excellency President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and its commitment to the renewal of the human civilization as well as to the educational, scientific and cultural development of the Islamic World.

May Allah grant us success and guide us to the right path.

Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri

Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization -ISESCO-

Publications of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

-ISESCO- 1428H/2007 A.D