"Annan: The World Has seen an increase in intolerance and Extremism The Kuala Lumpur Conference concludes it work with an Appeal to Men of Reason in London and the Islamic States to Lead the Debate "

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, February 12, 2006

Kuala Lumpur

By Mina al-Oraibi

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami thought it was wrong to talk about the “end of history” after the end of the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union. He dismissed the assumption by some circles in the west that the “western style democratic liberalism” is the end to the historic development of civilizations and renewal of political regimes. Khatami was speaking at a conference that examined the relationship between the Islamic world and the West, which has just concluded its work in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday. Fifty participants attended the conference of “Who Speaks for Islam? Who Speaks for the West?” Their debate continued for two full days, which they dedicated to a discussion of activities that affect the relationship between the Islamic and western worlds, including scientific cooperation, the impact of globalization on the Islamic World and its relationship with the west. True, the conference did not come up with any radical solutions to the challenges facing the Islamic and Western worlds in the 21st century; it nevertheless was able to bring together activists who were advocates of dialogue among civilizations, who rejected violence and extremism and called for the continued engagement between the voices of reason on both sides. Dr. Mustapha Tlili, director of the Center for Dialogues at New York University which co- organized the conference with the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that the Malaysian government intends to host this conference annually to support dialogue among civilizations.

In a message he sent to the conference, the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said, “This is a time of sharply increasing intolerance, extremism and violence which have strained relations alarmingly between the Western and Muslim Worlds”. He added that, “there is a danger that the essential dialogue between cultures and societies is being reduced to an angry exchange between the fringes, with each side assuming that extremists speak for the other side as a whole- and in turn, allowing its own extremists to frame its own hostile response.” S. Iqbal Riza, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Alliance of Civilizations, delivered Annan’s message to the Conference. While stressing the importance of dialogue between the Islamic and western worlds, Annan believed it is also important to ask “whether we are listening”. He believed that “Failure of the civil discourse will be a sure path to renewed violence”.

The last day of the conference saw focused debates on issues relating to the Islamic and Western Civilizations. Participants on both sides were of the firm view that the two civilizations are not monolithic. In their opinion, the two civilizations were an expression of shared experiences among peoples, including a common fear of diseases like cancer or new influenza pandemics. Discussions were held in closed meetings, which encouraged participants to be frank and forthcoming. Some debates turned into heated arguments that were judiciously settled thanks to the moderation of Dr. Mustapha Tlili who repeatedly reminded participants of the need to be patient, and to listen to what the “Other” would have to say. This has truly enriched the deliberations.

Sheikh Mustafa Ceric, the Grand Mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina made a proposal, supported by Iqbal Sacranie, Advocate for British Muslim Community, outlining his vision with regard to Muslims in Europe and their role. He believed that they could be the bridge that connects the Islamic and Western Civilizations. The Grand Mufti submitted to the conference a paper entitled “Declaration of European Muslims”, which charted in detail the role of Muslims on the European continent. Ceric told Al-Sharq al- Awsat daily: “When it comes to the relations between Muslims and the West, we need to try a number of solutions before we can achieve tangible results”. Some conferences fail. From this failure, we can learn lessons for success. This conference was a success because it was able to bring this crowd together at a time when confidence between Muslims and the west has hit a record low. Anyone who succeeds in rebuilding this confidence can lay a claim to having found the road to peace in the world.” The Mufti stressed the need for Muslims around the world to take the necessary steps to rectify the situation and explain to the world the doctrines of their true faith. He said, “God Almighty is testing the Believers. Fifty percent of the refugee populations around the world are Muslims; the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan are Muslims; the daily calamities we witness and the wars raging around the globe are all taking place on the lands of Muslims”. He concluded by “asking God Almighty to give us the courage and wisdom, and to use this test to bring something good to the world. There is something that God Almighty wants us to do.”

Through the last moments of the conference, some participants continued to debate the usefulness of speaking about the West, and the geographic or conceptual connotations of this term. Vitaly Naumkin, President of the International Center for Strategic and Political Studies in Moscow told Al-Sharq al Awsat “Precise terms are controversial, but we have to overcome the controversy and try to find tangible solutions to the problems we are facing.” He considered “Russia a part of both the Islamic and Western Civilizations given the fact that over fifteen million Muslims have been living in Russia over the centuries. He also said that some of the regions in Russia are influenced by the west. The two cultures coexist in Russia, which means that Russia can be a bridge between them.”

The Malaysian Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), and the New York University center for Dialogues: Islamic World-U.S.-The West, co- sponsored the Conference, which was co-funded by the British and French ministries for foreign affairs, and by two non-profit foundations, namely the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the MacArthur Foundation. Stephen Heintz, the President of Rockefellers Brothers Fund, known for underwriting charitable projects and conferences that focus on foreign policy issues of interest to the United States explained to the daily newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat why American foundations like his fund these activities. “The relationship between Islam and the West is one of the most important issues of the twenty first century. It is only through open dialogue and better knowledge about each other that we can sustain a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship.” He added, “we work on two tracks, the first through dialogue with the higher echelons of policy and decision making circles, the other at grass-root level to build up the knowledge base. When the two tracks meet, positive social change will follow.”

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