Reframing the Arab mind: Between two civilizations - Dr Khalid Al-Saleh
For decades, the perception of the Arab mind has posed a complex dilemma for decision-makers in both the West and the East. Historically, the Arab-Islamic civilization produced a profound legacy of knowledge, ethics and culture — one that shaped the course of humanity and laid the foundations for the Renaissance. Yet, the narrative surrounding the Arab intellect took a sharp turn following centuries of Ottoman rule, which left the region isolated from the transformative industrial revolution that reshaped the balance of global power.
This dichotomy between a rich past and a turbulent modern history has long provided fertile ground for Western philosophers, historians, and strategists to portray the Arab mind in a negative light. French thinker Ernest Renan, who died in 1892, was among the earliest to claim that Arab civilization merely acted as a vessel for other cultures, denying its originality and depth. German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) dismissed the Arab contribution as a mere conduit between Greek antiquity and Western modernity, while Montesquieu, in his seminal work The Spirit of the Laws (1755), reflected a Eurocentric view that categorized Eastern — particularly Arab — societies as inferior.
These views permeated Western academia and political thought, influencing influential figures such as Voltaire, who openly ridiculed Islam and labeled Arabs as 'barbarians' — a term that resonated in Western policymaking circles for generations. In more contemporary times, Orientalist historian Bernard Lewis (1916–2018) further entrenched the narrative of Arab and Islamic decline, attributing it to internal cultural stagnation. French orientalist Henry Corbin (1903–1978) also advanced divisive narratives by promoting sectarianism and emphasizing minority identities, a tactic many see as having fragmented Arab unity.
Perhaps one of the most widely cited modern voices was American political scientist Samuel Huntington (1927–2008), whose controversial Clash of Civilizations thesis positioned the Islamic world, particularly Arabs, as fundamentally at odds with Western values. These perspectives, adopted by many journalists and policymakers, created an entrenched skepticism toward the Arab world — one that continues to shape diplomatic, media and academic approaches today.
In light of this, it is imperative for Arab leaders and intellectuals to recognize these historical misrepresentations and engage in a strategic effort to reshape global perceptions. The Arab-Islamic civilization, rooted in values of moderation, justice, and cooperation, holds principles vital to the global pursuit of equity and sustainability. Reaffirming these values is essential not only for global understanding but also for restoring the Arab world's rightful place in the international community.
In contrast, rising Asian powers such as China, India, South Korea and Japan adopt a markedly different approach in their engagement with the Arab region. These nations have largely refrained from ideological judgments, preferring instead to prioritize mutual economic interests and respect for national sovereignty. Scholars such as China's Wang Yi and Qing Juan, and Japan's Toshihiko Izutsu and Nobuoaki Notohara, have offered balanced and respectful analyses of Arab and Islamic thought, free from colonial undertones.
Unlike the West, Asian partners do not claim the role of 'civilizational saviors,' nor do they interfere in internal Arab affairs. Rather, they focus on pragmatic collaboration — investment, trade, infrastructure development — and maintain a professional distance built on mutual benefit. While the relationship may lack emotional depth, it reflects a business-like sincerity and a refreshing absence of moral patronizing.
At this historical crossroads, the Arab world must recalibrate its international posture — balancing between a Western legacy that often views it through outdated lenses, and an Eastern model that offers engagement based on respect and shared interests. Unless the Western mindset, particularly in the United States, overcomes its inherited biases, the Arab world would be wise to strengthen its strategic alignment with emerging Asian powers. In doing so, it can chart a future grounded in dignity, partnership and renewed global relevance.
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