There is no doubt that the tragic events of September 11th, 2001 have shocked the world over and shaken all corners of the earth. Everywhere, all leaders, governments, institutions, communities, writers and media networks have joined in condemning this horrible crime committed against, not only the United States but against human civilizations regardless of political, economic, or cultural entities anywhere.

Many reports, and publications have given ample coverage of and commentaries on September 11th and its repercussions. In its dominant "Unilateralism", and global role, the United States have championed and amassed international support of the war on terrorism, and the subsequent campaign in Afghanistan. The US declared that it will take years, until the roots of terrorism are eradicated wherever they are especially in the regions that include countries lined up in what is called "The Axis of Evil." Under the banner of "this war" all forms of violence, resistance to colonialism, occupation, suppression, or injustice are to be uprooted, mopped out and eliminated. In the Middle East, the Palestinians' fight against occupation is intentionally labelled as "terrorism" and is thus suppressed, although it was legitimately supported by countless UN resolutions and recognized by the international community. Elsewhere in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, Similar calls for fighting "terrorists" are also tacitly sanctioned.

A new world order and new rules have evolved and surfaced according to new standards, justifications, and interests as defined by the unitary world power, which can only call the numbers and pass judgments according to its own visions, definitions, terms and rules.

More than a decade ago, Egypt has called for an international conference on terrorism to define its meaning, scope and dimensions, and to demanded a world commitment to fight terrorism, which Egypt itself has suffered from. But no action was taken until the U.S. itself faced that terrible shock. Still, the convening of this much needed World Conference is very crucial and necessary for the achievement of world peace safety, stability, and security, and in order to safeguard legitimate national rights and to ensure the respect of human rights, of all individuals, communities and people everywhere.

September 11th joltingly awakened Huntingtin's and Fokoyama's contentions concerning the Clash if Civilizations. Since government leaders, columnists and thinkers have joined the chorus by condemning moslems and arabs as terrorists, and anti-West, thus anti-civilization. They have benignly forgotten that radical religious groups are not only Islamic fundamentalists but they are also Christian, Jewish or other. The allegations of the clash of western and islamic civilizations are certainly unjust, baseless, confused and incorrect. The crimes committed, and terrorism induced world-wide, have been blazing upon the fabric of many countries, recognizing no borders of time, place or culture. The arab islamic civilization have contributed to western civilization thus demonstrating the common denominator of the continuum of civilizations, based on cooperation, exchange, interpolination and interpregnation, regardless of creed, colour, culture, religion or origin.

September 11th has also had its strong impact destabilizing tremors on the world economy, thus affecting the stock markets and trade not only in the United States and Europe, but also in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Rising unemployment (at least one billion youth as reported in the September Youth Employment Summit, held in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in 7/9/2002). Recognized by all are major bankruptcies, corporate-fraud corruption (uncovered, to the astonishment of everyone) by transnational mega corporations, which have caused definite economic recessions, slowdown of world trade, sharp decline of air travel and collapse of notable major airlines. These are only a few of the after-shocks that have shaken the world economy and national development plans all over, regardless of region. "The Development Apartheid*" has glaringly surfaced and thus has become a rude reminder at the international arena, widening the gap between the rich and the poor or the North and the South. The Second Earth Summit held in September, 2002, at Johannesburg, has been the theatre of such divisions, frustrations, disappointments and disagreements. The world after September 11th has unavoidably become a new world of tensions divisions, suspicion, conflicts, instability and insecurity. Flare-ups have erupted in various corners and regions, even those considered comparatively docile and stable, have shown symptoms of turmoil and unrest. Governments and institutional modus operendi have been radically restructured to confront the new challenges and probable threats however, whenever and whatever they may be.

In reflection, the times and events, following the September the11th, have demonstrated the futility and incapability of certain groups, institutions and alliances and have exposed bare and barren, international, regional organizations and national networks which have failed to anticipate, resolve or confront the repercussions of the pre and post September tragic situations peacefully, and to maintain world order and global security. In fact, more conflicts and eruptions have occurred, and none has been dissipated. Even "the war" on terrorism has neither destroyed the fanatic groups of Al-Qaida in Afghanistan nor elsewhere. The global peace, security and stability have never been farther away with the impending military intervention in Iraq, or North Korea or elsewhere, along the "axis of evil" with Israel adopting the same anti-terrorism slogan to suppress the Palestinian legitimate cause, acting with the sanction and support of the U.S., and other world powers in loco parentis.

Consequently, it is vital for world peace and security that international and regional organizations reassume their role and obligations and that all nations must abide by the rule of law and legitimacy in policy and action in word as well as in deed. Measures to reinstitute trust, cooperation and commitments are urgently called for, with major international powers and organizations shouldering their responsibilities to exercise restraint and to recognize that there are limits of power and dominance, and to become engaged in redressing grievances and in assisting the poor, the beleaguered and the afflicted countries and societies in Africa, Asia and the Latin America. They may start by cancelling their debilitating debts and assisting sustainable development. The Second Earth Summit 2002 in Johannesburg betrayed the rift among governments and civil societies. There must be a greater involvement and empowerment of people regardless of their sex, colour, creed or origin. It is high time for all to recognize that we lived in one boat and that any tremor or tragedy in one area will reverberate and shake all other regions. It is also prudent to recognize that the health, stability and prosperity of the poor, or developing countries, reflect positively or on the affluent world, where human and material resources are in abundance, and that they are major contributors to their economy and to the world order, stability, peace and prosperity. There is no other alternative for cooperation, communication and solidarity amongst all. The horizons for a better tomorrow are promising, provided that there will be conviction and commitment.

The Tremors of September on the Arab World and Egypt have been profound and far reaching. While President Bush visited the Islamic Centre in Washington for the first time in order to assure America and the World that the war on terrorism is not aimed at islam or moslems but against the terrible acts of fundamentalist extremist groups, still, U.S. citizens of arab or Islamic roots were subject to certain acts of harassment and indictments. Writers and the media in the arab world recognized that they should embark on a concerted effort to rectify the ugly picture of the arab and moslem culture painted intentionally in the west, or through benign neglect. Egypt and Al-Azhar initiated a media-oriented campaign to inform the world of the correct message of Islam in emphasizing peace, equality, tolerance and goodness to all human beings regardless of colour, creed religion or origin. It was clear to all that the message of Islam was not communicated justly and objectively especially in the West. For the first time, we see positive and constructive dialogue among religious leaders of the various world religions in Cairo, London and Rome.

Meanwhile, the Palestinians found themselves hounded by
Israel as terrorists, instead of freedom fighters and defenders of their colonized motherland. Though supported by International treaties and agreements, the Palestinian cause has regressed, and they have become subject to reoccupation, oppression and suffering. The Palestinian and the Middle East problems have suffered a painful setback, and arab countries have become, for the first time in decades, subject to accusations and demands for reform, change and self-examination. New calls for respect of human rights, greater role of the civil society, democracy, institutional reform, and new systems of governance, greater citizen involvement and women empowerment and substantial youth participation, have been aired loudly and effectively with leaders and authorities adopting new corresponding policies and programs for the first time. After September the status quo in Egypt and in the arab countries will never be the same again. Greater national objectives for political, Educational, medical, social, economic and cultural reforms have already been adopted and plans for action have been set in motion. On the other hand, fundamentalism and radical extremism, islamist groups and activist movements have shrunk and suffered their greatest setback in decades. However, the public sympathy and understanding of the root causes that fuelled the anger desperation of the Arab societies from decades of suffering, poverty, injustice, inequality and oppression have been expressed by many prominent analysts and writers. They have emphasized that the September tragedy was only a symptom of many deep and strong, roots and sentiments that prevail in the Arab streets, and that the west must deal with the root causes not with waging wars on the symptoms only.

Meanwhile, there have been rising demands world-wide by thinkers and writers in Egypt and other arab countries for radical soul-searching and self appraisal campaigns, and that the denrise of arab society and culture is partly to be blamed on local customs, conservative old traditions and archaic systems and disorientation of the true islamic doctrine. It was painted out that the west should not always be blamed for all the malaise, backwardness, desperation and underdevelopment. However the accusations should also be local and regional Earnest efforts, campaigns and program have been already operational, which may lead to important and meaningful changes in the near future.

Dr. Mohsen Zahran, The Former Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandria is professor emeritus of Urban and environmental planning at Alexandria University. He was Expert to UNESCO, UNECEF, UNCHEF, UNEP, ENESCWA, and other international and regional organizations.