Globalization of Culture

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri

Islam, from its very beginning has been a global message. As one browses through the Holy
Quran, they will find that it addresses the entire humanity and not just a race or community.
Moreover, the first Islamic state established by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
was based on a written constitution (Pact of Medina) ensuring and protecting the rights of all
minorities by which internationalizing the character of Medinian society. Through his last
sermon, Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave a New World Order and a declaration of human rights.
This was the initiation of globalization of the human society.
Initially, there should be a clear distinction between culture and society.
Culture defines the beliefs, values, behaviours, and material objects shared by a particular
people. Various components such as symbols,languages and values exist in cultures.
However, the similarities and differences in the symbols do not create any hindrance in the
development of a multicultural society. For example, dogs are considered beloved household
pets to the millions in the west but a regular meal to millions in China. Cows are sacred to the
Hindus in India, however, they are routinely consumed by millions of other eastern and
western communities. The fur coat may be a symbol of success to one and inhumane
treatment of animals to another. These kinds of differences exist even in uni-cultural
societies, for they are based upon options, priorities and preferences. We have to find ways to
harmonize different cultures and find the commonalties on which we can base the
multiculturalism of a society upon.
Society refers to people interacting within a limited territory, which is guided sometimes by
religion, culture, laws, customs, morality and sometimes by a mixture of all of these factors.
Hence, we can neither exclude any of these elements from the process of the development of
a culture, nor can we be bound to include all of these elements in the process of globalization
of culture. They hold their relevance in the process of culturalization.
Integration of Cultures
There are two aspects of integration: Societal and Cultural.

As far as societal integration is concerned, the ethnic minorities become an integral part
of the society by residing, following the laws, sharing the many social and cultural
values and working together for the promotion of societal betterment.
Cultural integration is an outcome of cultural interaction, and cultural interaction cannot
occur without an inter-cultural dialogue. Although it requires both the majority and the
minority groups to create an environment of integration, the initial responsibility lies upon the
majority.
This cultural interaction cannot take place without initiating the process of cultural openness.
We must be open to listen to the problems, the priorities and the demands of all of the
cultures irrespective of the fact whether the culture belongs to the majority or to any other
ethnic minority. This in turn would lead to an environment of multiculturalism. It is important
to promote the commonalties between cultures and at the same time appreciate the
differences in arealistic and democratic manner. Solutions cannot be imposed. They emerge
in a realistic and democratic way in our society, which in turn resolves conflicts.
Types of commonalties on which bridge-building can take place
There are many commonalties between the Islamic and the Western societies. Autonomy,
vitality, education, morality, spiritual contentment, working ethics, social harmony, global
outlook, religious and social services, cultural activities, and environmental and ecological
changes are just a few basic commonalties on which multiculturalism may be promoted.
Another factor on which the process of globalization of culture maybe established is Human
Rights. Islam is the founder and the best promoter of the concept of human rights and
participatory democracy. When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) established a political society in
Medina after his migration, he established a society based on devolution of power and
participation of public and democratic process in power. He established local bodies
consisting of ten representatives headed by a counselor and 10 counselors headed by a chief
counselor. They they were appointed as the member of provincial or federal council. Hence,
Islam introduced and practically implemented the process of the participation of the public in
the process of power. Subjects as such can easily be the basis for the establishment of
globalization.
Standards of success and achievements, activity and work, material comforts, practicality and
efficiency, progress and futuristic advancements, science and technology, freedom of
individual choice and individual initiative and other elements as such are the basic
commonalties on which we can easily establish the idea of a multicultural society.
No Dual Standards
As far as the factual position is concerned, the media has dual standards for the Western
World and for the Islamic World. Whenever acase of violent criminality occurs in any
western country, the media looks into the social factors behind the occurrence, including
gender, youth, race, socio-economic background, personal factors, biological, psychological
or psychiatric factors or even ecological factors. But as soon as any kind of issue takes place
that involves a Muslim, instead of blaming the wrongdoers, the attack is directly placed upon
Muslims and ultimately Islam. The relevance of socio-economic factors or personal factors is
overlooked. The presentation and the analysis of the events should be the same.
One thousand years ago, when Europe, in its entirety, was not developed, scientifically,
academically and culturally, it was said to be in its dark ages. However, during this period it
was Islam that was the torchbearer. It was Islamic Spain, Islamic Grenada, Islamic Baghdad,
Islamic Damascus; in short, it was the Islamic world which was spreading the light of
science, technology, culture and civilization along with a complete interaction of Islamic and
Christian culture and faith which initiated the process of globalization. Hence, Islam has been
an integral part of the European society for about 1000 years, sometimes in a ruling capacity
and sometimes jointly living together with communities.
Only in the last two - three centuries was it that the Muslims lost their involvement, however,
they have again returned to it.
There is a very clear lack of communication which the western society is not recognizing.
This is what leads to distorted visions and misguided opinions about Islam. The western
population does not have a true picture of Islam and has only gained their present opinion
from their own media. That is why if there is any single minor incident through which any
negative inference can be drawn in the Muslim world, it is highlighted and propagated in the
media and for days ongoing debates start on the subject. Whereas, thousands of positive
points are neglected so that bridge-building between the cultures is made impossible.
What sort of misunderstandings exist?
It is a common belief of many westerners that minorities possess no rights in Islamic
countries such as Pakistan. On the contrary, the Islamic State of Pakistan is much more
liberal towards the minorities as compared to the Western World towards its minorities.
Rights of minorities in the Islamic State of Pakistan
Minority rights are constitutionally guaranteed and protected, political rights are guaranteed,
seats in all levels of government are reserved for minorities from the local to district to
provincial and right up to the parliament. Many MPs, senators, ministers and counselors are
those from a minority group and fully participate in the political process of Pakistan.
The chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Cornelius was a practicing
Catholic Christian. There are also many army generals belonging to minorities and many
minority members can be found in executive departments in the country.
There is no ban, no barrier, and no condition disabling the minorities to hold government
offices. They can freely build their churches, hold their religious or cultural activities, and
enjoy their festivals.
Many Christian missionary schools, colleges, and institutions are operating in the country.
There exist open dialogue forums such as the MCDF (Muslim Christian dialogue forum), of
which I am the elected chairman and Bishop Azraya is the vice-chairman. MCDF, PAT and
Minhaj-ul-Quran International Movement have announced a joint peace walk between
Muslims and Christians on the biggest road in Pakistan, "Mall Road", to raise slogans and
protection of minority rights.
Solution
The practical answers to various questions on cultural diversity and lack of real integration do
not lie on ethnocentrism - the practice of judging another culture by the standards of one`s
own. Nor do they lie in uni-culturalism - absorbing all ethnic cultures into one.
1. Multiculturalism
2. Pluralism
3. Globalization
On the 23rd of April, `99 there was a conference held in Berlin on different cultures and the
future of relations on Western and Islamic societies. A declaration on this agenda for future
action was announced known as the Berlin Declaration. I endorse this agenda and
declaration.
We have to come towards global wholesome, global unity but it is only possible through
global mutuality.
We need to take steps at the education and research level at primary and secondary education.
At the same time at higher education and scholarly levels, there should be inter-cultural
teacher training courses and intercultural research should be initiated at graduate levels in
various colleges, universities and institutions. There should be academic interaction between
various cultures, which would lead to practical interaction and practical integration. They
should be designed on a media level and an ethical code of conduct on media and journalists
should be established. Democracy does not give one right to paint a false picture of anyone.
There should be a law placing a ban on the assassination of anyone`s character. There should
be multi-national dialogues so that people may have direct access and direct information
regarding various cultures and ethnic minorities and their religious and cultural backgrounds.
In the light of UN`s declaration of human rights and the Counsel of Europe on Minority
Affairs, there should be a declaration on this particular point of ethnic minorities, the
treatment of cultural and ethnic minorities so that we may work in the right direction to
achieve the process of globalization.
I hope that we work upon these basic outlines, by which we will finally be able to remove the
unhealthy feelings, and are able to create a healthy environment of practical interaction at
academic and social levels.