A Critique of the Theories of the Clash of Civilizations and the Dialogue among Civilizations, and an Explanation of the Interaction of Civilizations from the Perspective of Islam with Emphasis on the Viewpoint of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Khani Arani, Elahe; Izadi, Mohsen; Alizade, Zahra

doi:doi:10.47176/cir.2025.1176

A Critique of the Theories of the Clash of Civilizations and the Dialogue among Civilizations, and an Explanation of the Interaction of Civilizations from the Perspective of Islam with Emphasis on the Viewpoint of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Elahe Khani Arani ¹

mohsen izadi ²

zahra alizade ³

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

³ MA Graduate in History and Civilization of Islamic Nations, University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

doi:10.47176/cir.2025.1176

Abstract

Civilizational interactions are among the key issues discussed in contemporary societies, drawing the attention of historians and political theorists who have sought to formulate theories by analyzing global events. The end of the Cold War, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the September 11 attacks in the United States were pivotal factors in shaping civilizational theories such as Samuel Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” and, in contrast, Mohammad Khatami’s “Dialogue among Civilizations.” Huntington’s theory has been criticized for its confrontational and conflict-oriented nature, while the theory of dialogue, despite its emphasis on peace, has been regarded as overly idealistic and lacking practical feasibility at the international level. Hence, there is a need for a universal theory grounded in Islamic teachings. This paper examines and critiques these two approaches—clash and dialogue—and subsequently presents the Islamic perspective on civilizational interaction, with a particular emphasis on the viewpoints of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, regarding the engagement of Islamic civilization with the West.

Keywords

Islam

civilization

dialogue between civilizations

clash of civilizations

interaction of civilizations