The ruler of Algeria once slapped the French Consul on his face. The result was that France occupied Algeria for 130 years and did not leave except with millions of victims. A heinous act was committed in America and Muslims denounced it, even though it was alleged that its perpetrators were Muslims. Nevertheless, the western media insists on accusing Muslims and Islam of violence and terrorism. The French proverb seems to ring true: ‘He who wants to kill his dog can just accuse it of having rabies.’

Today, the confrontation has intellectual, cultural and ethical dimension presented in the form of the theory of the clash of civilizations, which rests on the opinions of Bernard Louis, a Jewish orientalist. He said for example: “The clash of civilizations is a trend and movement that goes beyond many levels of political issues and the governments that produce them. It is no less than a clash of civilization, perhaps an irrational one. But it is undoubtedly a reaction of an old enemy to our Jewish secular heritage, our secular present, and the international expansion of both.”

Obviously, there is no eternal war between human beings just as there is no eternal peace between them – even between the people of the same culture. Thus, dialogue has become a sacred duty in these circumstances to save ourselves, to save the West from itself and to save us all from the misunderstanding and malice that fill the hearts of some. When a group of Muslims acts in aggression, they are at once branded as terrorists. But when blood is shed in Palestine, it is simply a mistake in time and place. Dialogue should deal with this de facto injustice and with the orders given to different authorities over the Islamic world concerning curriculums, women’s and human rights. Such orders make us feel insulted.

The dialogue to which we call can take place through a cultural alliance between Muslim intellectuals and western intellectuals who express their opinions rationally and objectively in their countries. We have to discover the horizons for a long term dialogue. I would prefer that the money dedicated to teaching democracy or promoting women, be redirected to finance a project for mutual understanding and dialogue. Such a project would need to look for common ground in order to use this as a basis for a relationship of mutual respect.