January, 2002

International Forum on Dialogue: The Consequences of 11 September

A group of Muslim and Christian intellectuals participated for two days in the 'World Forum on Dialogue on the Consequences of 11 September' organised by the Islamic Forum for Dialogue Between Cultures and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). The conference, which was held in Cairo, hosted a number of presidents and representatives of more than 50 international organisations. Participants hailed the role of Egypt under the leadership of President Hosni Mubarak regarding the confrontation of terrorism.

The symposium included six sessions covering:

- The dangers to international security and the consequences of 11 September
- The phenomenon of terrorism: definition, reasons and responses
- The confusion over concepts of terrorism, wars, self defence and sovereignty of states
- The dangers and destructive impact of oppression and the deterioration of ethics on the security and stability of societies
- The jeopardy of using nuclear and biological weapons of mass destruction
- Justice and mutual respect between cultures and their role in uprooting terrorism

The views and recommendations of the participants included:

- underscoring the rights of individuals and peoples to defend their lives, possessions and sovereignty, and to restore occupied territories and achieve self-determination
- condemning the catastrophes and calamities that the Afghan people suffer as a result of war
- The establishment of justice, adherence to religious rituals and combat of injustice, poverty, corruption and ethical deterioration in order to uproot terrorism
- Calling on regional and international parties to take the measures needed to put an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and ratification of the Palestinian right to establish a sovereign state and self-determination
- Calling for the convention of a world conference to be attended by all official and non-official religious and cultural parties to set a comprehensive definition of terrorism - condemning aggression against all mosques and churches.


The Impact of 11 September on the GCC

The diplomatic centre in Cairo organised a symposium on the 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States and their impact on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Following an introduction about the intertwining interests of the United States and the GCC, participants addressed the consequences of 11 September on the GCC from three perspectives.

- With regard to the economic consequences for the GCC, it was concluded that a strategy should be set for the GCC to confront the crisis, including deficiency in the budget.

- With regard to the political consequences, the focus was on the steps anticipated from the United States against any Arab countries and the future of the world order.

- With regard to the security implications, the focus was on the strategic ties that link the United States and the GCC.

At the end of the symposium, participants commented that the events of 11 September had led to the emergence of threats inside US society which endanger the US mode of living. Moreover, US foreign performance changed from transparency to secrecy. The events also increased the possibilities of the United States facing more international cultural confrontation.