Tunis Declaration  for the Alliance  of Civilizations

Dialogue is the most important value of Islamic civilization:

- Dialogue among civilizations is expressive of the most outstanding values of the Islamic civilization and indicative of the traits of the balanced Islamic identity. It is, indeed, an unavoidable necessity as well as a moral, human obligation for building up constructive, fruitful cooperation leading to peaceful coexistence. In addition, belief in the constant values shared by all human beings requires not only equal wills and good intentions, but also mutual respect and commitment to the objectives aimed at consolidating human values and principles common to all cultures and civilizations.

- The message of Islam is universal and addressed to the entire peoples. It recognizes and respects all revealed religions and all prophets and messengers. Based on moderation, peaceful coexistence, the constant common values, joint cooperation and mutual understanding between civilizations as well as on constructive dialogue among religions and cultures, the Islamic civilization is part and parcel of the human civilization.

- Respecting each of the world's civilizations, recognizing their richness and expressing concern about the ongoing hostile smear campaigns against Islam, its people, civilization and culture. This slanderous attack has been on the rise since the events of 11 September, and sometimes took the form of a biased, insolent affront against Islamic sanctities, the Holy Quran and the person of the Messenger of Allah, Mohammed, peace and blessing be upon him.

The best alternative to clash and conflict is dialogue, mutual understanding and respect for others’ rights:

- Clashes and conflicts cause tragedies for both individuals and peoples, and sow the seeds of hatred and discord among human beings. To prevent such a situation, the optimum alternative lies in dialogue, mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence and the respect for the rights and specificities of the others. In addition, benefit should be derived from religious, cultural and civilizational diversity to build an interactive, integrated human society.

- Recognizing the universal right to a decent free life and to progress, and that the combat against poverty, exclusion, injustice, violence, extremism, terrorism, double-standard treatment and patronizing theories is a moral responsibility incumbent on the entire humanity. It is a duty that requires the adoption of just measures and the elaboration of appropriate strategies with a view to creating an environment that favours the edification of balanced human relations. In this respect, the Tunisian initiative to create a world solidarity fund to eradicate poverty and promote human development provides an excellent model for the fostering of dialogue and alliance among civilizations within the framework of solidarity, away from all forms of violence, extremism and exclusion.

Alliance of civilizations is a principle of international law:

- The alliance of civilizations is a principle of international law and a chief foundation of international relations. It greatly contributes to bringing peoples and nations closer together as well as to removing the accumulated barriers of mutual misunderstanding. This alliance represents an ideal approach to address the adverse effects of the phenomenon of globalization, invigorate cooperation and solidarity between peoples and eliminate all forms of double standard and preference leading to the clash of civilizations. The alliance of civilizations is the path taken by the wise and constitutes a common human responsibility incumbent particularly on decision makers, regardless of their rank of responsibility, as well as on the elite group of intellectuals and media figures the world over, the aim being to work together for building peace in the present and the future.

- The sought 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 mutual understanding between peoples and communities, and favours rapprochement and cross-fertilization between civilizations, resting on the points of convergence, not divergence, within the framework of objectivity and impartiality when dealing with the other at all levels, and excluding the distortion of truths that damages the image of the other. 

Terrorism is an aggressive global phenomenon having neither nationality nor religion:

- Terrorism is an aggressive global phenomenon that belongs to no religion and no nation. Throughout history, it has spared no region of the world, no culture and no religion. Efforts should be combined to root out terrorism in all its forms and means, dry its sources of finance and pursue its perpetrators, plotters and advocates. Equally, clear distinction should be made between terrorism and the right to self-defence and resistance against foreign aggression and occupation.

- Adhering to just, comprehensive and lasting peace in all strife-stricken areas, especially in the Middle East, reiterating support for the Palestinian cause and the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people for establishing, on its soil, the independent state of Palestine with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital.

- Combining the efforts of governments as well as of international, regional and non-governmental organizations, particularly of ISESCO and UNESCO, in order to consolidate the mechanisms of communication, interaction and alliance of civilizations and disseminate the culture of fraternity, peace, dialogue and tolerance, as dialogue is the sole alternative to counter the culture of confrontation and clash, through concrete partnerships, initiatives and projects. The said efforts should also aim at extending the scope of dialogue so that it transgresses official channels, and at involving civil society and the large public in these efforts.