Issues and Questions
A Clash of Civilizations or A Civilization of Clashes?
By Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Why were there not, among the generations before you, persons possessed of balanced good sense, prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth - except a few among them whom We saved (from harm)? But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin. Nor would your Lord be the One to destroy communities for a single wrong-doing, if its members were likely to reform. If your Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind one people: but they will not cease to dispute; except those on whom your Lord has bestowed His Mercy: and for this did He create the; and the Word of your Lord shall be fulfilled, "I will fill Hell with jinns and men all together.” (Hud 11:116-119)
There are clashes and conflicts every where in this world today. Individuals, families, groups and nations are in conflict. Innocent people are suffering and being killed in hundreds every day in different parts of the world. Millions are starving to death, thousands are in prison for no reason and hundreds of innocent are being killed and victimized every day. Our cities are not safe, our airplanes, buses and trains are not safe, our schools and places of worship are not safe. There is occupation of others lands and resources, there is exploitation of the poor and there is injustice of every sort and form in many parts of the world. What is happening to the world? Why is this happening all over the globe?
Look at what is happening in Iraq. How many innocent lives have gone? How many cities and towns have been destroyed? How many schools and mosques are in ruins? How many men are humiliated, how many women are dishonored and raped, and how many children are made orphans? No one is safe in Iraq today. Shi’ah and Sunnis were living mostly in peace and harmony there for centuries, Arabs and Kurds were living and working together; but now they have become enemies of each other. Look at what is happening in Palestine. Millions of Palestinians are exiled. They are homeless. Their cities are besieged, their homes are snatched from them and the whole nation is made as refugees. Most of the Palestinians are living today as second class citizens in their own land. There is no justice for them. At this time as we are sitting here, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in this hot summer have no electricity and no water. Many of them may die from thirst, because Israel has bombed and destroyed their electric and water supplies in Ghaza. The whole Lebanon is under attack and Israel’s Prime Minister has threatened that there will nothing safe there.
On the other hand there are suicide bombings and terrorism that have caused death and destruction to thousands in many places. Terrorists attacks in New York, Washington, London, Madrid, Bali, many other places and now Mumbai, threats and terrorist plots being discovered in many other places, all this has created a climate of fear, insecurity and suspicion in North America, Europe and every where in the world. Only last week about 200 people were killed by a series of terrorist bombs in the city of Mumbai. We express our deep sorrow at this tragedy and condemn this crime as we have condemned all other acts of terrorism and violence.
Some people say that this is a clash of civilizations. But why should civilizations clash? Civilized people are not supposed to clash they are supposed to solve their problems peacefully, through discussions and negotiations. Even in wars and battles they are supposed to be careful. They are supposed to observe the limits, avoid the innocents and non-combatants and follow the civilized conventions of wars. Few weeks ago I head a former American Ambassador quoting someone who said about the situation, “Today terrorism is the war of the poor and wars are the terrorism of the rich.” Poor and rich, powerful and powerless both are involved in horrible crimes against humanity. What we see today is not “the clash of civilizations”; it is rather “a new civilization of clashes.” Today conflicts and clashes are the norm and peace is a rare commodity.
Some Western gurus put all the blame on Islam and Muslims. They frighten people with an Islamic threat all over the world. They say that the clash is between Islam and Western values. They say that Muslim have a blind hatred of the west. John Esposito of Georgetown University in Washington wrote a very interesting note recently. He mentioned that a recent Gallup World Poll took opinions of Muslims in 10 countries (Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia). Muslims in these countries said that what they most admired, after technology, was the west's political freedom. Overwhelming majorities in every country would support freedom of speech, religion and assembly if drafting a constitution. Majorities in virtually every country also felt women should have the same legal rights as men.
Muslims, he says, were also critical of their own countries. They complained lack of democracy, political freedom, corruption and fanaticism in their countries. Only 8% believed the 9/11 attacks were justified, while 35% were positive about America and felt 9/11 was not justified; 51% were "skeptical moderates", critical of the US but not believing that 9/11 was justified. When asked what would improve relations with the west; their most frequent replies were "demonstrate more understanding and respect for Islam"; help with "economic development/jobs"; and "stop interfering in our affairs". Most wanted better relations with the west, but did not believe the US was serious about promoting real self-determination.
John Esposito says, “Anti-western feelings result from what we do, our policies and actions, not from our way of life. Globalization and an increasingly multicultural west test the mettle of our values. Islamophobia is a threat to our democratic way of life. This cancer should be as unacceptable as anti-Semitism. Pluralism and tolerance demand greater understanding and respect from non-Muslims and Muslims alike. The more we learn about each other, the more we will see beyond our differences to a reservoir of common concerns, values and interests.”
If we could all listen more carefully to what Allah subhanahu wa ta’la says about the people of the past and take lesson from it now:
Why were there not, among the generations before you, persons possessed of balanced good sense, prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth…
We should condemn all violence and take a bold stand to work for peace and justice for all people regardless of their races, colors or religions. About what is happening in Ghaza and Lebanon, we should write to our government and public officials to take a just and honorable stand. There should be immediate cease fire. All innocent prisoners should be released and UN should hold an international peace conference inviting all sides to sit together and negotiate a peaceful resolution of all conflicts.
(Khutbah at ISOC – Jumada II 18, 1427/ July 14, 2006)
- DrSiddiqi@aol.com

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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