Intellectuals and educationists of the country, taking strong exception to the dichotomy existent in the West, have urged the western countries to review their policies and approach towards the Muslim world. Making their respective presentations at a session organised by 'Hamdard Thinkers Forum' some of the speakers were quite vocal in negating the much trumpeted concept of 'Clash of Civilisations'.
According to them, it was mainly a clash of interests with those holding power attempting to control the resources of less developed and weaker nations. "Reason for discord is not basically religious but is political and economic," Dr Manzoor Ahmed said, reiterating the need to initiate meaningful dialogue with Muslim world and dialogue among the civilisations.
Speakers, including S M Zafar, Hamida Khuhro, Mehtab Akber Rashdi, Anita Ghulam Ali, Manzoor Ahmed, and Irtefaq Ali in their respective presentations regretted the prevalent ignorance among the believers of three major religions regarding each other's beliefs and major principles on which their respective religions are based.
It was said that this was taking its heavy toll enhancing the need to incorporate religious teachings of different religions in the educational curricula.
Hamida Khuhro said that quality education at grass-roots level was the only way to promote peace, and harmony and address extremism in the Muslim world. She urged the Western world, including European nations, to change their attitude and bridge the gap between them and the Muslim world.
Speakers also expressed their serious reservations regarding the biased approach of the media against Islam, and urged the saner elements in the western world to take stock of it.
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