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Introduction: Islam and the West: A Civilized Dialogue

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2014

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Summary

Relations between Islam and the West are often described as a series of conflicts interspersed by periods of tense peace, but such a description glosses over those moments of genuine interaction and coexistence that actually have not been unusual throughout history. Unfortunately historians tend to write more about battles than times of peace and a look at the past can reveal fascinating periods when in fact humanity prevailed. Ignacio Gutiérrez de Terán addresses this aspect and examines the Andalusian Civilization as an example. A reexamination of Andalusia offers the means to strengthen efforts of rapprochement between Islamic societies of the East and Christian societies of the West through the adoption of historical patterns of coexistence, interaction and cultural cross-fertilization, and thereby raise the hope of finding a possible model that will stimulate dialogue between the two civilizations. The Andalusian Civilization flourished on the territory of the Iberian Peninsula centuries ago one should take advantage of its most pertinent and accessible aspects. There is the belief that the Andalusian example can be employed in several ways, including formulating the theoretical and practical framework of fundamental principles, content and aims of such a dialogue. There is no doubt that the atmosphere of tolerance and peaceful coexistence that characterized the political experience and social development in Spain – during what was a relatively long period of time – sheds light on a civilized human behavior that has not lost its symbolism and energy as an incentive to recognize the importance of the lessons of the past in today's world.

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Islam and the West
A Civilized Dialogue
, pp. 13 - 20
Publisher: Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
Print publication year: 2012

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