Clash of Civilizations
By: Dr. Maqsood Jafri

Professor Huntington of Harvard University thinks that after the failure of communism in Soviet Union now there will be a clash between Western and Islamic civilizations. America and the West had basic differences with socialist state. The communists do not believe in God and interpret history and human life in the light of materialism. Their political system is Fascism. Islam grants social, economic and political freedom and justice but rejects atheism, materialism and communism. The believers of Judaism and Christianity believe in the basic teachings of Abraham as the Muslims believe in him. Our sources are one and the same. We have doctrinal or religious differences but they are to be tolerated. The Quran in Sura Al-Kafirun says: "For you your religion and for us mine" (109:6). It clearly means that we should not spill blood in the name of religion. Some Christian fundamen- talists believe that Jesus Christ will resurrect in Israel when all Muslims will be finished in that land. They are supporting the Jews in Israel on the plea of religious dogmas. Similarly some Muslim fundamentalists believe that the presence of Jews on the sacred land of Palestine is impermissible and unwanted.   But   the   enlightened    Jews,

Christians and Muslims want the Israelites and the Muslims to live peacefully and respect the rights of each other on human grounds. Instead of enhancing the spirits of clash we should support the mantra and mission of congruence. Actually the clash of civilizations is the clash of Fundamentalism. The fundamentalists from all sides are fanning the flames of discord. Dr. Iqbal S. Hussain in his recently published book entitled "Terrorism in Action" writes: "Thus for the West it has emerged over the past decades as the most challenging ideology with great civilization funda- mentals. Despite Huntington's theory of the "Clash of civilizations" and Berlusconi's tirade against Islam the inherent ingredient contained in the religion of Islam remain as imbued with inspirational purity and consistency that even massacre of millions of Muslims cannot reduce their impact." In this book Dr. Iqbal Hussain discusses the hostile attitude of the West towards Islam. He writes that Islam is a target of Western imperial- ism. In his opinion Islam is a moderate code of life and is universal and natural in its theory and practice. Dr. Iqbal Hussain further opines; "Muslims are convinced that it  is

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