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I would like first to welcome the participants to this seminar and to faithfully implore God, in sincere words, to help the world avoid the evils of terror, the consequences of terror wars and their resulting actions and reactions. This modest paper attempts to set out two issues that differ in initial stages but overlap in consequences. These two issues are: First: coexistence of cultures or struggle of cultures? Second: Waging war against terror or rather studying the causes of terror? As to the first issue, some of you may not agree with me in my definition of the current or potential struggle. This struggle cannot, from a scientific and realistic point of view, be a struggle between civilizations, because civilization is one, although its achievements can cumulate in one country or a group of countries. It is certain that all the human beings of different races who lived on earth have contributed to the establishment of this great civilization, be it by lighting up a candle under a tree. This was the first school for teaching the basic knowledge. Civilization is not urbanism or architectural and technical advancement. It is by far deeper than that; it is the set of human, ethical and behavioral characteristics that human beings, from all races and lands, have achieved. Urbanism alone cannot fulfill such a mission. Rather, it could contribute to the distortion of the image of such a mission. We can see urbanized communities that haven't absorbed the conditions of civilization, and civilized peoples not fulfilling the condition of urbanism. Some may not agree with me on this differentiation. But I hope this will be an issue for debate during this seminar, or in our future writings and discussions, in order for us to come to determine the components of the imminent struggle, which has been showing its signs since the advent of the unique pole. This struggle is not between civilizations, as it is alleged, nor between religions. For that faith in God, in whatever forms and methods, can only bring humanity close together, and create a space for spiritual solidarity to challenge the dangers threatening humanity. Hence, the present and potential struggle is a political one based on economic greed to appropriate earth resources and to control world's politics. This is the origin of struggle, which should not hide behind speculations involving religions and races for shortsighted interests. I believe that for the purposes of this economic and political struggle, religion, culture and scientific advancement are used in tireless attempts to snuff out and destroy other cultures so that “at the end of history” only one culture will prevail on the international arena: that of the conqueror. It prevails not to bring about one world but to help the conqueror achieve utmost economic and political domination. This is an important aspect in the scene of current confrontation between, on the one hand, the steady march toward globalization, to the detriment of cultural particularities, and, on the other hand, the trend of identity upholding in a world getting aware of marginalization, negligence and dependence. The debate over equal opportunities for all cultures seems to be a glimmer of hope amid the upsurge of the central culture, with its abundant production, and high technology. Dialogue should continue so that big cultures would not take precedence over smaller ones, and that the culture of the stronger would not wreck all signs of diversity and positive pluralism by growing a single genus of flower, a single species of trees and a single brand of fruits. As different cultures lived together for long centuries, benefiting from one another, and giving birth to wonderful human relations that withstood wars and greed, today's cultures, thanks to telecommunications and transport, are more susceptible of better living together. This was about the first issue. Regarding the second issue of terrorism, it is to be observed that this issue is witnessing unjustifiable confusion when legitimate struggle of peoples against oppression has turned to be terrorism. It is a deliberate confusion that aims at exploiting instinctive human avoidance of terror the real terror that is condemned by all humans- in order to strengthen domination and to settle historical or current accounts with some peoples. This will only lead to cover up real terrorism and to brand it as legitimate as resistance. It is to be noticed in this regard that the use of force in dealing with terrorism is illogical and unacceptable. There is a need for dialogue and for studying every case individually. If some specific reasons are proved to be favoring a terror environment, these reasons should be addressed. Even if terror is meant for terror, there are many means and methods to eradicate it. Force is no doubt tempting, as it gives the false impression of being able to do every thing. This is not true according to past and present experiences. Force can dust away cities and villages, but cannot uproot a right or wrong idea from the brain of a man. Hence, the use of force in the struggle of thoughts provides fuel for the so-called terrorism and helps multiply leaders and victims. There is no doubt that the issue of terrorism as it is portrayed by the United States in a discourse assuming civilization and defense of freedom has put the world in a critical situation. However, the way out is not by resorting to war, within a cult of force, or by killing more innocent people. It is rather by studying the origin of chronic conflicts that are endangering world security, by adopting a language of coexistence and understanding rather than a language of extermination, and by better understanding issues pertaining to independence, freedom, and national cultural particularities for all peoples. If the American president, who doesn't seem to have been sufficiently keen on political affairs, had thought that his rigid procedures would meet appreciation and praise, the reaction of the whole world, including the US, has proved to be quite the opposite. The call for war and blood shed is contrary to the laws of life, coexistence and stability. Justifying war under vague considerations is in fact an insane expression of the imaginings of leaders and their inhuman ambitions of domination. We hope that your sincere intellectual efforts will focus on all these issues so as to bring back serenity to a worried and miserable human being, and to rebuild faith in the future of humanity and its heritage, which should not be entrusted to a sole pole, however strong it could be.
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