http://www.dawn.com/2006/12/13/local8.htm
KARACHI: Changed mindsets can tackle West-Islam conflict KARACHI, Dec 12: The need for changing the respective mindset in Western and Muslim communities was emphasized by scholars at an international conference. The participants also expressed the belief that the conflict between Muslims and Christians was not based only on religion. The day-long conference was organized by the Area Study Centre for Europe, University of Karachi in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut in Karachi on Tuesday. Speaking at the conference on "Dialogue versus Confrontation: Different perspectives of expression and respect for religious sensibilities" some of the speakers maintained that unwarranted statements originating in the West had changed the nature of conflict and exacerbated the element of insecurity among the Muslims. Mr Hans-Joachim Kiderien, Consul General of Germany, in his key note address focused on "The Basic Right of Religious Freedom as the Foundation of Inter-religious Dialogue". He said in Europe, more precisely in Western Europe, religions, the Christian churches in particular and European Christianity in general, since a long time were not seen as having an important direct impact on politics, or themselves an important political force. This has now changed, particularly with the second advent of Islam in Europe, mainly following labour migration to Western Europe after the Second World War, and more currently with the acknowledgement of rising Islamist activities all over the world, he said. Islam, as newly arrived in Europe, but also as it presents itself in other parts of the world, is perceived in Europe more as a "political religion" than Christianity, may be just because of the lack of novelty in the Christian of the close integration of Christianity into state and society and its relative loss of' importance for day-to-day life. Hence in Europe they speak of an intercultural dialogue between "the West" and Islam than of on "inter-religious dialogue", he pointed out that in Pakistan and other Islamic countries the tern "inter-religious dialogue" would probably be better accepted. Under these circumstances of a partly unequal dialogue, secular "western" culture versus "Islamic" culture, determined to different degrees by religion looking for common grounds, from where to start the dialogue, becomes a problem. The German envoy was of the view that the current pressure for globalisation and "democratisation" brought to bear on religions, societies, and states, often coming as a projection of power from outside and as a claim of ideology, is probably not leading the way to widespread recognition of the freedom of conscience as the guiding principle in inter-religious and intercultural relations. This process has to grow from within, and must not be overtaken or hijacked from outside, he emphasised. Participants noted that the year, 2006, was full of numerous cultural clashes between the Western world and Islam. They stressed that in the contemporary globalised world, it was important for Muslims to comprehend the European social order based on individualism, which espouses the right to freedom of speech as absolute. The West, on its part had to make an effort to fathom the Islamic social form which is communitybased, with emphasis on collective interests and deep reverence for religious faith and its sacred personalities and symbols. Dr Khalida Ghous's paper on "The Changing Security Spectrum: Issues of Cultural Identity", touched on issues of cultural identity and religious extremism having generated new threats which had an element of fear prominent in them. The obvious divide, existing between the developing (Muslim) and the developed (West) had added new dynamics to securityissues, she said while examining the new challenges confronted by Muslim countries/societies and their vulnerabilities, besides looking into existing paradigms on which overall securityissues are viewed and understood. Ambassador Kazi Anwarul Masud discussed "Religious Sensibilities and Freedom of Expression" and rejected the western propaganda that Islam was a religion propagated through violence, and not prepared, either in theory or practice, to accord full equality to those holding other beliefs. The terrorist events of 9/11 and the Madrid and London bombings have created in the ordinary Western mind a phobia about Islam and the Muslims. To the Muslims, the lack of Western countries to solve the Palestinian problem and the invasion of Iraq has produced a sense of uncertainty about Western intentions. This has produced Islamic terrorism in the West and in some Muslim countries. This phenomenon needs to be seriously tackled Javed Jabbar spoke on "Inevitable Exclusions: Inescapable Imperatives" and maintained that unlike the theoretical equality of all human beings, all freedoms are not equal but hierarchical. Human spirituality and the nonesteem in which adherents of a religion hold their own Prophet and their God have a precedent status over unbridled license for expression. Muslims and nonare equally obliged to practice mutual respect for contrasting, inflexible perspectives. Confrontation on such matters is unavoidable: we should strive to keep it always peaceful. He also spoke on the ethnic and cultural divide with each communities. Dr Mehmet Gormez presented a paper on "Concept of Respect for Religious Sensibilities in the Muslim Experience and comparison with contemporary practice." He said the more religious sensibilities are respected, the more successful will be the dialogue between cultures and civilisations. A successful dialogue should be based on mutual understanding, scientific and sound knowledge and not flawed evaluations. It is also noteworthy that religions can be easily manipulated and exploited by the mischievous. Thus, sincere followers of all religions need to pay attention to this issue. Bekir Alboga dealt with "Respect and Regard for Religious Feelings in the Context of Freedom of Opinion and the Freedom of Press, a Muslim View." He presented the experience of Muslims in Germany. Stefan Weidner dealt with "Difference between the West and the Muslim world "In this contest he focused on the relationship between religion and freedom that has developed differently in the West and the Muslim world. Islam and the West are not as antagonistic as it seems. In the West, many remnants of antiy laws protecting Christianity do exist and can be rein the US as much as in Europe. In the Muslim world religious prohibition was never as strict as it seems, and there is an undercurrent in today's Muslim societies that seeks more freedom of speech in religious matters. The main problem is not the incompatibility of cultures, but the hegemonic perception of other cultures, Islamphobia as much as antiwesternism and the instrumentalisation of cultures for political purposes on both sides. Ghazi Slaahuddin while dealing with empowering liberals in the Muslim world claimed that what we confront in Pakistan was an instructive reflection of the global concern with Islamic radicalism. A deadly tussle between Islamic extremists and moderates who subscribe to democratic ideals is still unresolved. The imperative for a rational debate is widely recognised. Earlier Director of the Area Study Centre for Europe Dr Naveed Ahmad Tahir and Dr Petra Raymond, director Goethe Institute presented welcome address and highlighted the conference's objectives +++ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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