Madam, - We are living in a political climate of increasing suspicion between the East and the West. These two rapidly polarising cultural entities pose the greatest threat to world peace. Although the view that there is an antagonism between the East and the West is derived from a misleading reductionism, unfortunately there are many people on both sides who are deceived by this fallacy. Furthermore there might be those who wish to fuel the so-called "clash of civilisations" prophecy rather than invalidate it (Susan Philips, Rite and Reason, The Irish Times, April 19th).
Madam, - We are living in a political climate of increasing suspicion between the East and the West. These two rapidly polarising cultural entities pose the greatest threat to world peace. Although the view that there is an antagonism between the East and the West is derived from a misleading reductionism, unfortunately there are many people on both sides who are deceived by this fallacy. Furthermore there might be those who wish to fuel the so-called "clash of civilisations" prophecy rather than invalidate it (Susan Philips, Rite and Reason, The Irish Times, April 19th).
I would also like to make some corrections concerning the legacy of the Ottoman Turks:
Contrary to the assessment of Ms Philips, the Christians and Jews of Europe welcomed the spread of the Ottoman Empire. Indeed some academicians believe that the Turks brought with them an economic and political system superior to the existing one, as well as their traditional tolerance. Thus they were hailed as a liberating force promising an end to generations of oppression.
Furthermore, for 600 years the Ottoman Turks governed an empire as large as the Roman, and were the custodians of the sacred shrines and temples of various religions. Millions of different peoples lived and intermingled within the border of the Ottoman Empire, straddling Asia, Europe and Africa. All of them not only survived but also prospered. None of them lost their national identity, be it language, religion or culture.
So much for the assertion of Ms Philips that Ottomans created a homogenous religious life.
On the other hand, Ottomans have played a significant role in world history. They were active participants in European alliance systems. Naturally they were drawn into the conflicts of the other European powers. As a matter of fact Francis I of France "admitted that he saw in the Ottoman Empire the only force guaranteeing the combined existence of the states of Europe", according to Lord Kinross's book The Ottoman Centuries.
If past struggles for maintaining the balance of power in Europe become a pretext for settling the old scores, as suggested by Ms Philips, then ultimately the world would find itself in chaos.
In view of the above one can easily understand why it would be a terrible mistake to divide the world into hostile camps and distort history accordingly. There is no political or moral ground to do that. - Yours, etc.,
GULSEREN CELIK,
Counsellor, Turkish Embassy,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.