There is much to learn from each other
“The Islamic and Western world can no longer afford to stand apart from a common
effort to solve their common problems... Nor can we afford to revive the territorial and political confrontations of the
past. We have to share experiences, to explain ourselves to each other, to
understand and tolerate - and I know how difficult these things are - and to
build on those positive principles which our two cultures have in common. That
trade has to be two-way. Each of us needs to understand the importance of
conciliation, of reflection - tadabbur is the word, I believe - to open our
minds and unlock our hearts to each other. I am utterly convinced that the
Islamic and the Western worlds have much to learn from each other. Just as the
oil engineer in the Gulf may be European, so the heart transplant surgeon in
Britain may be Egyptian.
".. Of course, tolerance and understanding
must be two-way. For those who are not Muslim, that may mean respect for the
daily practice of the Islamic faith and a decent care to avoid actions which
are likely to cause deep offence. For the Muslims in our society, there is the
need to respect the history, culture and way of life of our country, and to
balance their vital liberty to be themselves with an appreciation of the
importance of integration in our society. Where there are failings of
understanding and tolerance, we have a need, on our own doorstep, for greater
reconciliation among our own citizens. I hope we shall all learn to demonstrate
this as understanding between these communities grows."
Prince Charles, Islam and the West
A Visit to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
The Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, October 27, 1993
© Copyright St James's Palace and the Press Association Ltd 1998.