EDITORIAL

Dialogue of Cultures and Civilizations
A Human Necessity

By Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri

The need for a constructive dialogue among cultures and civilizations emanates basically from the nature of this epoch in which the conflict between countries, nations and peoples has intensified, the conflict of interests, stands and policies has spread and the relations among humans have grown extremely acrimonious at many levels, while the lofty human values calling for tolerance and compassion, and leading to altruism and munificence have ebbed away.

As the need grows for serious dialogue among cultures and civilizations, for building bridges of understanding among nations and peoples as well as for attaining an adequate level of cultural and civilizational co-existence, there arises the pressing need to prepare the auspicious climate for this dialogue, and to find the best conditions for putting it in the right direction which leads to the fulfillment of the aspired objectives.

The establishment of a base for mutual respect of ideas, principles and perceptions, the agreement on a sufficient measure of objectivity and seriousness and the rigorous determination of objectives, constitute, perhaps, the strongest guarantee for reaching a mutual agreement on a number of results which may consolidate the true human efforts exerted in order to strenghten peace in its general context and support security in its comprehensive, deep civilizational sense.

Determining the main and subsidiary objectives of dialogue among cultures and civilizations is a prerequisite for drawing up the list of issues and problems to be the object of dialogue. It is a fact that the nature of this epoch, coupled with the above-mentioned mutations, calls for cultural and civilizational co-existence as a goal around which the  minds of the elite and the wills of the decision-makers should rally on the basis of belief in the unity of the human species, and in man's right to live on earth in peace with himself, in harmony with his fellow humans and in a total security where he reaps its fruit and where his dignity and humanity are safeguarded.

Cultural and civilizational co-existence is the result of that type of cooperation which should constitute the general basis for relations among countries, nations and peoples, under which human life should prosper and the ideals of human brotherhood, which comprise all meanings of love, goodness, truth, justice, virtue and beauty, should prevail.

Justice, truth and equality of all people in front of the law, constitute the very intellectual support of international law rules. This support is one of the firm fundamentals of Islam which came as a mercy to all mankind and a call to rule among people with justice and fairness.

If dialogue among cultures and civilizations is founded on this legal basis which governs international relations -or should govern them- with the aim of strengthening these concepts, notions and bases, then this dialogue will achieve perpetual welfare of humanity, now and in the future.

I think that dialogue among cultures and civilizations should be based from the start on vital problems, practical issues and themes of common interest, and should avoid controversy which does not lead to positive results. It should also rise above all sensitivities which accumulated, through time, as a result of subjective elements eroded by time. If dialogue adheres to this sound path and moves in the right direction, then it will be possible to overcome many obstacles which stand, now, in the way of securing a certain level of understanding likely to bring about the aspired co-existence and guarantee a secure and stable life on earth.

This advanced civilizational method, which should be adopted, has been in most occasions, breached on more than one level due to the prevalence of the spirit of hegemony in some people as a result of their coveting temporary material interests at the expense of values, principles and the rights of all humanity.

Perhaps it is this breach of advanced civilizational method of dialogue which justifies the accusations of the desire to impose western civilization and culture on other cultures and civilizations. To be true and sincere to ourselves, we have to say that this desire cherished by some western circles is a reality which has tangible effects. It is a truth which cannot be denied.

This is the reason for our call for the enrichment of dialogue among civilizations and cultures within the context of mutual respect and within the framework of sound international relations which rely on the bases of international law.

With this sound civilizational orientation, we can remove many obstacles and overcome numerous challenges which have been spoiling mankind's happiness and tranquility.

Muslims are advocates of dialogue, understanding, coexistence and cooperation among mankind. They are directed by the principles and teachings of their religion, and by the ideals of the Islamic civilization under which different creeds, confessions, cultures and civilizations have coexisted in human brotherhood and cooperation for the welfare of humans.

Thus, the idea born on the morrow of the fall of communism, and which is widespread nowadays in the west, stating that Islam has become the enemy of the West in lieu of communism is a fallacy. It is a mere delusion prevailing in the minds of some decision-makers and a herd of thinkers who follow their path.

This so-called danger should not rule the minds of westerners, nor should it be a basis for their dialogue with the Islamic world or the Muslim Ummah, which is the custodian of the Islamic culture and the heir of Islamic civilization. Westerners should not consider as Islamic the actions of some factions belonging to the Islamic world, actions which are not tolerated by Islam and run counter to its tolerant nature and righteous call. In so doing, they tend to make unfair judgements and unjust generalizations which offend hundreds of millions of Muslims all over the world, whether in the East or in the West.

Today, dialogue among cultures and civilizations is a human necessity, a fact which made the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization include it in its action plans and earmark for it one of its cultural programmes.