The West and us
By
Naguib Mahfouz
At the present time, with the American-British orientation embodying Western arrogance, it may seem as though the West is an indelible foe -- or, at least, that we have a problematic relationship with the West.
The truth is that I don't think we are necessarily in a state of conflict with the West. We have been through periods when relations with the colonialist West were fraught. And fighting the West, under those circumstances, was part of the national struggle for independence. But equally the West has been a cultural role model; this cannot be denied, which is not to say that we must replace our traditions and conventions with those of the West.
I do not subscribe to the theory that holds that Western civilisation is diametrically opposed to our own, or that we must isolate ourselves in order to confront a new cultural colonialism. Culture is outside the scope of such power struggles, and the fact that we have been invaded by eastern and western cultures throughout history has merely enriched our makeup, giving rise to periods of renaissance.
As we hold on to all we love about our civilisation, we must at the same time remain open to the positive influences of other cultures, including the West.
Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.
