Azeem Azhar drew my attention to a key lecture tonight at the LSE:
For the first time in history, several global societies are simultaneously feeling under siege - Muslims, Israelis, Americans. It is therefore a dangerous time in world history. Professor Ahmed will argue that traditional societies like Muslim societies are feeling under siege as a consequence of the processes of globalisation, and will discuss the contemporary Muslim world and its relations with the West. Certain steps need to be taken for the way forward. Most importantly, there is a necessity for dialogue and understanding. The age of global communications has caused misunderstandings but can also act as a facilitator of dialogue and understanding.
Azeem's post is important and I repeat it here in full and verbatim:
Professor Akbar Ahmed today delivered a lecture on Islam Under Siege: from clash of civilisations to dialogue of civilisations. Ahmed is an engaging and erudite speaker. His lecture has a great review of:
- What are the main global theories which explain Islam?
- Why is it important for us to understand Islam?
- How do we move ahead?
Ahmed gives a scholarly review of the global theories: Huntington, Lewis, Friedman (the "clashers") as well as Khatami and Sachs (the "dialoguers"). And his descriptions of how siege mentalities develop within societies is compelling. He explains the growing importance of Islam in global society from a population and statehood standpoint. However he paints a bleak picture of more friction, greater misunderstanding and ultimately more violence. I believe his proscriptions were weak especially considering how gloomy he reckons the future is. He recommends further dialogue, more conversations. We do need sharper direction than that, something tangible.
The lecture theatre was buzzing. His was an energising performance so I recommend listening to it highly. I recorded it and you can download it in MP4 format here. (12 megabytes, 83min 41 sec). If that doesn't download, you can pull it down as a ZIP file.
