Values are relative-Clash of civilizations

According to most of the scholars around the globe, there is a clash of civilizations going on between the West and the Islamic world. Some extremist elements on both sides are pouring oil on the fire, which has led to doubts and misconceptions about each other.

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Now let’s come to the point that what a common Muslim thinks about this clash of civilizations. I am a very conservative Muslim being raised in a very religious Pashtun society. My experience and interaction with people from the Western society tell me that in order to diffuse the situation and to reach a certain middle point we have to accept the reality that we cannot force our values on each other. The Western world cannot change Muslim minds by installing puppet regimes and in the same manner, the Muslim world cannot force anyone to follow their Sharia law or any other law that they think is better.

We have to keep in mind that values are always relative. Anything which is considered good in one society has totally opposite meanings in another society and vice versa. Let’s take a very funny example of how the same words can have different interpretations of West and the East. Supposedly, you told a Westerner that he is looking like a teddy bear or a little puppy. I am sure he would take it as a compliment or at least consider them to be funny. Now if you say the same words to someone from an Eastern society and especially from the Islamic world, the reaction could be very offensive because it is considered an abuse here.The very same thing can be said about serious issues like the role of religion in the state, gender roles, level of individual freedom, morals, and ethics.

The Western intelligentsia believes that religion is a private matter and has nothing to do with the affairs of the state whereas the Muslim world believes that Islam provides a complete guide for all aspects of life and hence could become the basis for any state setting.

The Western world believes that men and women are equal with no difference between them and hence be allowed to mix together in congregations and other places whereas the Islamic world believes that though both are equal yet their duties are different depending upon their physical health. The Muslims would quote that the first wife of the Prophet of Islam was also a successful entrepreneur of her time but she was living her life under Pardah.
The opinions of Western and Muslim scholars definitely collide on the issue of the level of freedom one should have. The Western world believes that every person has the right to do or say whatever he/she wants without physically hurting anyone whereas the Muslim world believes any criticism which leads towards hurting others’ feelings should not be allowed. This difference of opinion was quite visible during the Charlie Hebdo incident in which the feelings of the billions of Muslims were hurt.

The above discussion can be extended to infinity but I would finish here because I don’t have enough time to discuss each and every aspect of the gap that needs to be bridged. My suggestion and conclusion would be to let’s agree to the disagree and respect each other religious, cultural and political ideals. Lots of love.