Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
My response on the issues that divide Muslim cultures and Western cultures, thus: the deep-seated epistemological cum psychological attitude that each culture has adopted. On the hand, the West’s hegemonic attitude towards Mulims, perceiving Muslims as their inferiors not as their equals with whom they ought to share this planet. Factors that prompted or triggered to this kind of perception are many, among others: Muslims are considered as non-cooperative or anti western democfacy, transgressor of human rights, fundamentalists, extremists, and many other streotypes that you could name them. On the other hand, the Muslim’s perception of the West contribute the widening of the chasms; among others : the West’s secular- materialist, hedonistic super power, under the guise of globalization, or “global ethic” trying to impose the west’s values on the Muslim ummah. The West’s double standard attitude and actions , through their economic and military aid in supporting Israel, at the same tme undermining the rights of the Palestinians are among others. Muslims feel that their rights to practise their own religion in a comprehensive mannaer (the implementation of Sharia) are continuosly threatened by the West.
As to the issues that can unite both cultures are also attitudinal in nature. Attitude can only be corrected through knowledge. The West must be made to understand to respect and appreciate the Msulim’s faith, their needs, their aspirations as well as their anger and apprehensions. Thus, a serious and committed West-Muslim Culture Centre need to be set up to promote and realize this idea. The details need be worked out. As to having series of seminars, conventions and dialogues involving the proponents of the two cultures could still be relevant, but it must selective and well planned in terms of venues, time and participants. So also in the realms of spirituality cum economic and social projects involving the two cultures could also be of help at the communal level. But the bigger challenge remains- coming from the hands of their political leaders and business leaders of the West. A serious effort should be afforded to change their attitude and perception as mentioned in the above.
Dr. Ghazali Basri
Academy for Civilisational Studies
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia