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No Inevitable Clash of Civilisations

19 February 2007

Good to hear that most people don't feel that a clash of civilisations is inevitable. According to a survey of public attitudes across 27 countries commissioned by Melbourne's The Age newspaper and the BBC World Service and reported in The Age:

'Big majorities in Australia, the United States, Canada, Lebanon, Mexico and most European countries believed common ground can be found between the Muslim and Western cultures. There was also a consensus in most of these countries that intolerant minorities on both sides, rather than fundamental differences between the two cultures or intolerant minorities on one side or the other, were to blame for tensions between Islam and the West.

'The optimistic tone of responses was also reflected after citizens were asked whether differences of religion and culture or conflicts about political power were the source of tensions.

The most common view in 24 of the 27 countries was that tensions arose from conflicts about political power and interests — 52 per cent of the total sample of 28,000 respondents held this opinion.' (Source - The Age 19th February 2007)

I read this as a sign that common-sense and decency prevails over the hysterical pronouncements of some of our political leaders and public commentators. It is probably also a testament to the bridge-building efforts of many many people. In this little corner of the world I would mention the Islamic Council of Victoria www.icv.org.au the Australian Intercultural Society www.intercultural.org.au and the many local interfaith networks - supported by local government and faith communities as good examples.

Just a few hours ago I was rung up and asked if I knew any friendly Mosques. A Melbourne church was interested in building links with a Muslim community and someone thought I might know how to point them in the right direction. Happily I was able to respond with confidence that they would get a warm response from the Muslim community.