CHANDIGARH: Guru Gobind Singh Department of Religious Studies of Punjabi University Thursday organised a seminar on 'The Clash of Civilizations and the Role of Religion."   

The speakers of the seminar were Sayyad Nooruzzaman, Assistant Editor of The Tribune and Dr. Rajesh Sharma from the Department of English, Punjabi University .  The Seminar was presided over by Dr. Gurbhagat Singh former Professor of English.
 
Nooruzzaman described the Clash of Civilizations as only a myth.  According to him the real issue is the attempt to impose western culture on people who are bitterly resisting this attempt.  The popularity of the use of terrorist methods is a reaction against attempts of American domination and it comes out of strong feelings of resentment.  Nooruzzaman traced the global scenario of conflict, particularly since Sept. 11, 2001 and argued that it is urgently required that a worldwide effort should begin to develop a culture of tolerance.
 
Dr. Rajesh Sharma critically examined the methodology and logic of Samuel P. Huntington  in his book 'The Clash of Civilizations'.  He stated that the hypothesis of Civilisational Clash is only a fig-leaf to conceal the American Neo-liberal and Hegemonic agenda.  He cited the evidence against Hungtington's hypothesis and also discussed the arguments against it by Amartya Sen.  The real clash is over the global resources and it can be avoided if we can democratically manage diversity and dissect at the global level.
 
In his Presidential remarks, Dr. Gurbhagat Singh also dismissed Huntington 's argument, including his fear of a looming clash between civilizations.  According to him, only a balance between cultural identity and openness to other cultures can ensure a peaceful future for the globe. Guru Granth Sahib points out the way to such a future through the making of the futuristic human being, he stated.
 
Dr. Pradyumna Shah Singh of the Department of Religious Studies read the paper prepared by Dr. Swaraj Singh on the issue.  Seminar was attended, among others, by Dr. Rajinder Pal Brar, Dr. Sarabjinder Singh, Dr. Gurunek Singh, Dr. HS Boparai, Dr. GS Sidhu, Dr. Jodh Singh. Dr. Harpal Singh Pannu, HOD, opened   the seminar, while Dr. Darshan Singh introduced the theme and the speakers.
 
Dr. Pannu, Head of the Department informed the audience about the sad demise of Bhai Lakashvir Singh Nabhvi of Chail, a great scholar, poet of Persian & Arabic.  He paid a tribute to the poet who was offered an Honorary Professorship by the Punjabi University in November, 2006.  Grief stricken scholars prepared and passed a resolution of condolence and prayed for the departed soul to rest in heaven.  University is publishing his poetry book Munazate-Bamdaadi in Persian & Gurmukhi scripts soon.