by Ziauddin Sardar
Introduction
A great deal has been written about the “clash of civilisations”. But to have a clash we need at least two civilizations. If it is supposed to be a clash of western and Islamic civilisations then civilisation as a coherent entity with a worldview embedded in humane values are conspicuous by their absence on both sides. The Muslim civilisation as a coherent entity has not existed for at least a few centuries. What we have nowadays is a collection of 56 warring and fragmented Muslim states. As far as “western civilisation” is concerned, I tend to agree with Ghandi that “it is a good idea”.(continue…)