Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilisations” thesis emphasises differences and often leads to confrontation. Yet an alternative vision—dialogue of civilisations—offers a more constructive framework. True civilisation is not measured by technological prowess or military dominance but by the ability to preserve the past, engage the present, and protect the future.
Prof Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi
In a striking and morally charged reflection, Mahathir Mohamad raised a profound question: who is truly civilised? His remarks, in response to threats attributed to Donald Trump regarding the destruction of Iranian cultural heritage, transcend political commentary and enter the realm of civilizational philosophy. At stake is not merely a geopolitical dispute but the deeper question of whether modernity, with all its claims to progress, can justify the erasure of humanity’s shared historical memory.
Civilisation, in this sense, is not only about power or advancement—it is about responsibility. When a society contemplates the destruction of ancient legacies, it reveals a tension between its technological achievements and its ethical foundations. The issue thus becomes a test of moral maturity: can a civilisation that destroys the past still claim to represent progress?
The Meaning of Civilisation: Beyond Power and Progress
Modern discourse often equates civilisation with material success—economic growth, technological innovation, and military capability. Yet history suggests a far richer and more demanding “me’yaar” (criterion). Civilisations have endured and been admired not because of their power alone, but because of their capacity to preserve knowledge, respect diversity, and honour the achievements of earlier cultures.
Acts of cultural destruction—whether the burning of libraries or the demolition of monuments—are not signs of strength but of insecurity. They reflect a fear of plurality and a discomfort with historical continuity. A truly civilised society, by contrast, embraces the past as a foundation for the future.
This principle has been evident across cultures. Ancient traditions in Greece, India, China, and the Islamic world demonstrate a consistent pattern: civilisations flourish when they preserve and build upon inherited knowledge rather than obliterate it.
Iranian Civilisation: A Living Continuum
The civilisation of Iran stands as one of the most enduring cultural traditions in human history, stretching back more than three millennia. Its significance lies not only in its antiquity but in its remarkable continuity.
Pre-Islamic Foundations
Ancient Persia, particularly under the Achaemenids, developed sophisticated systems of governance, architecture, and ethics. The Cyrus Cylinder, often described as an early charter of human rights, reflects a vision of rulership grounded in justice and tolerance. Persian administrative practices influenced neighbouring civilisations, including Greece and India, demonstrating an early form of intercultural exchange.
Islamic Transformation and Intellectual Flourishing
With the advent of Islam, Iran underwent not a rupture but a transformation. It absorbed Islamic teachings and produced a synthesis that enriched both Persian and Islamic traditions. Scholars such as Ibn Sina and Al-Ghazali became central figures in philosophy, medicine, and theology, shaping intellectual history far beyond the Islamic world.
This continuity through transformation is the hallmark of a resilient civilisation. Rather than erasing its past, Iran integrated it into a broader intellectual and spiritual framework.
Cultural and Aesthetic Legacy
Iran’s contributions to poetry, art, and architecture further underscore its civilizational depth. Figures like Jalal al-Din Rumi and Hafez represent a spiritual and aesthetic tradition that continues to inspire humanity. Cities such as Isfahan, with their intricate mosques and urban design, embody a vision of beauty intertwined with spirituality.
To threaten such a civilisation is to endanger a living archive of human creativity and wisdom.
American Civilisation: Innovation and Contradiction
In contrast, the civilisation of the United States is relatively young, spanning roughly three centuries. Yet its impact on the modern world is undeniable.
Foundations of Modern Ideals
Rooted in Enlightenment principles, American civilisation emphasises liberty, individual rights, and constitutional governance. It has been a driving force in technological innovation and global political thought, shaping contemporary notions of democracy and human rights.
Strengths and Internal Tensions
However, this civilisation is not without contradictions. Its history includes episodes of colonial expansion, slavery, and cultural homogenization. These tensions highlight the challenges of balancing rapid progress with ethical consistency.
The Question of Historical Depth
Unlike older civilisations, the United States does not possess a millennia-long continuity. Its identity is dynamic and evolving, but relatively limited in historical depth. This difference is not a judgment of value but an acknowledgement of diversity in civilizational experience. Older civilisations carry accumulated layers of wisdom that newer ones are still in the process of developing.
Clash or Dialogue? Reimagining Civilisational Relations
The debate over how civilisations interact has been shaped by the influential thesis of Samuel Huntington, who argued for an inevitable “clash of civilisations.” This perspective emphasises differences and often leads to confrontation.
Yet an alternative vision—dialogue of civilisations—offers a more constructive framework. Civilisations have never existed in isolation; they have always interacted, borrowed, and enriched one another. The Islamic world preserved Greek philosophy, which later contributed to the European Renaissance. Persian culture influenced vast regions across Asia, demonstrating the interconnectedness of human history.
Dialogue transforms diversity from a source of conflict into a source of enrichment. It encourages mutual respect and shared learning, laying the foundation for peaceful coexistence.
Who is Civilised? A Moral Question
The question posed by Mahathir is ultimately ethical rather than political. A civilised society is not defined by its wealth or power but by its conduct.
A truly civilised society:
Respects and preserves the past
Protects cultural heritage
Engages in dialogue rather than destruction
Recognises the shared humanity of all peoples
Conversely, the willingness to destroy ancient legacies reflects not strength but a deficiency in moral vision. Such acts erase not only physical structures but also the collective memory of humanity.
The Ethics of Preservation
Preserving civilizational heritage is a moral obligation. Monuments, manuscripts, and traditions are not mere artefacts; they are repositories of human experience and wisdom. Institutions like UNESCO emphasise that the protection of cultural heritage is a global responsibility.
History offers powerful lessons. The intellectual vibrancy of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad exemplified preservation and openness, while the devastation wrought by invasions and colonial exploitation demonstrates the irreversible loss caused by destruction. Civilisations are remembered not only for what they create but for what they choose to protect.
Toward a Civilisational Ethic
In an interconnected world, the survival of civilisation depends on a shared ethical framework:
Respect for Diversity: Acknowledging the value of different cultural traditions
Commitment to Preservation: Safeguarding heritage for future generations
Promotion of Dialogue: Encouraging cross-cultural understanding
Rejection of Cultural Violence: Opposing the destruction of history
Such an ethic moves beyond narrow nationalism toward a universal responsibility for humanity’s collective heritage.
Conclusion: Civilization as Responsibility
The reflections of Mahathir Mohamad compel us to rethink the meaning of civilisation. True civilisation is not measured by technological prowess or military dominance but by the ability to preserve the past, engage the present, and protect the future.
The contrast between Iran’s deep historical continuity and America’s dynamic modernity illustrates the diversity of civilizational paths. Neither is inherently superior; each offers distinct contributions to the human story. Yet the “me’yaar” of civilisation remains ethical conduct.
In an age marked by conflict and uncertainty, humanity faces a choice: destruction or preservation, clash or dialogue, arrogance or humility. To choose preservation is to affirm our shared humanity. To choose dialogue is to ensure that civilisations not only survive but flourish together.
Ultimately, civilisation is not a status to be claimed—it is a responsibility to be fulfilled.
—Dr Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi (also known as Dr Hamidullah Marazi) is a distinguished contemporary Islamic scholar whose work significantly contributes to the dialogue between Islamic philosophy and modern Western thought. He is the author of several books. Through a rigorous comparative methodology and an emphasis on epistemological integrity grounded in Tawhid (the oneness of God), Marazi critiques secular paradigms and advocates for an integrative intellectual tradition. His scholarship not only critiques Western thought but also calls for mutual enrichment between traditions, emphasising Islamic metaphysics, ethics, and educational reform as central to contemporary challenges.
ha*********@***il.com