ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY IN EUROPE: BETWEEN THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS AND DIALOGUE

Abstract

Modern Europe witnesses the terrorist attacks, the influx of immigrants, ghettoisation of Muslims into city areas that are transformed into the „no-go zone” and, as a reaction, an increase of Islamophobia among European nations. How many of these phenomena are confirming Huntington's theory of „The Clash of Civilizations,” and how much space do they leave for „The Dialogue of Civilizations”, which, as an alternative, was proposed by the Iranian President Hattami before the UN? By observing the historical and normative perspective of the relationship between Muslims and the contemporary Europeans (which, in the meantime, became post-Christians), especially limited domains of integration, assimilation and the creation of „Euroislam” (advocated by Tariq Ramadan), the Paper tries to find the space for avoidance of conflict and the basis of fruitful dialogue between civilizations. Pointing out that the roots of the conflict and the inability of coexistence do not lie in cultural-collective identities as such and their values formed on religious grounds that only generate misunderstanding, conflict and division, the intentions of further transformation of Europe towards plural and value-neutral creation are shown as illusory. On the contrary, the Paper shows out that value neutral postion is precisely what creates contempt and additional resistance of the newcomers who have a clear value and religious identity. Thus, it advocates the return of Europe to its Christian cultural and value dimensions. Although there are insurmountable differences in some beliefs between Christians and Muslims, there are also many similar attitudes on which is possible not only to gain respect and trust from the other side, but also to create a consesus based on „the smallest common traditional denminator.” This would allow to religious and cultural identities to become the basis for co-operation and convergence rather than conflict.