فصلنامه تاریخ روابط خارجی
پیاپی 66 (بهار 1395)

ECO cultural sphere is one of the rare civilization and historical treasures of human society. This rare legacy is the fruit of years of joint intellectual efforts by regional communities forged into a synergy to evolve in the form as we know today. Taking stock of the contemporary world challenges and obstacles the current article seeks to investigate the question as to what approach could be used to study the cultural and historical legacies in the ECO region in order to render a fresh outlook on cultural life of the communities present in this intellectual realm? The research method has been that of a conceptual-functional effort to assess the concomitance of historical and cultural constructs in these communities based on juxtaposition of the two forces of continuity and change. The findings suggest that if strategic plans are in place to formulate a cultural diplomacy for the communities in this region, a promising bright future of interaction and cultural excellence will provide a basis for expanding political and economic relations, which in turn, will promote the individual and collective security, stability and development of the nations in this region which ultimately enhances their standing in the world.

Extremism has always proven to be a destructive and negative force against the development and thriving of civilizations. Analyzing the roots of this phenomenon and ways to contain it are the focal points of this article. The author views extremism as an intra-civilization phenomenon, thus, attempts has been made to find the solution within the civilization itself. Genuine Islamic mysticism is, in author’s view, an enormous common heritage that has the potentials for creating international and regional discourse capacities, and can provide the most efficient tools to curb extremism in Islamic communities.

In recent years, extremism cloaked in Islamic rhetoric has incurred huge material and spiritual costs in newly-independent nations of Central Asia. Left unchecked, this phenomenon, which stands in stark contrast to Islamic culture of moderation and popular culture in the region, is bound to wreak greater havoc and inflict more pain. The current article studies the intellectual background to extremism in Central Asia and contemplates solutions to curb it. The findings suggest that the soviet religious and cultural policies in this region, which was exerted through the promotion of a popular religion at the expense of the official moderate religion, had already paved the way for extremism to thrive. Therefore, countering extremism necessitates the strengthening of jurisprudential Islam, in particular the Hanafi School, i.e., the religion practiced by the majority of the region’s population, which could rectify erroneous popular interpretations of Islam and, in turn, prevents the spread of extremism.

Persian culture and literature have always been the vanguard of love and kindness and have made great contributions to the world poetry and literature. Its spirit of mysticism is unmatched, and its teaching reflects the most sublime human splendor and morality. Persian mystic thought has exerted a precious lasting influence on neighboring languages and cultures and has infused this region with a common sense of humanity which has enriched the overall cultural landscape.
ECO region nations have long been considered the seat of mysticism and mystic monastery (Khanqah) relations. The presence of a good number of mystic mentors and the Elders of Sufi Order in this region is proof of peaceful coexistence coupled with the free flow of ideas and spirit of moderation and tolerance, which, is a solid basis and can serve as an appropriate model and yardstick against which future relations could be weighed. This region of the world has immense intrinsic potentials for countering extremism, hatemongering and prejudice in this day and age.

The Middle East and its surrounding regions, namely Central Asia and the Caucasus and the Indian Sub-continent have become one of the important cauldrons of terrorism in the contemporary era. In the last couple of decades, the emergence of extremist currents such as Taliban and Al-Qaeda has drastically shaped the political, social and security landscape of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Among the Islamic movements, ISIS has paid special attention to the Caucasus and Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan region which it has styled as ‘The Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus’ and ‘Historical Khorasan’ respectively. As waves of terrorism and extremist violence engulf the region and poses serious threat to all the nations in the region, the civilization and cultural heritage shared among the ten Member States of the Economic Cooperation Organization, could provide a platform for countering the spread of terrorism, violence and extremism in the region.

Countries of the historico-geographical expanses covered by the Economic Cooperation Organization constitute the main terrain through which the most important trade, cultural and social routes have passed since time immemorial. The roads link the communities in these countries and have served as platforms on which capabilities and heritage have been shared. Thus, collective identity and common cultural and historical heritage have long been the main bond among these nations. According to modern research, thousands of kilometers of road constitute the Silk Road network. Half of these roads are situated in the ten Member States of the ECO. More than their primary function which was commercial and economic, these roads served the higher purpose of transmitting this intellectual and material heritage among societies. This network acted like a chain connecting the cultural hubs together, for which reason, these roads, particularly in ECO countries, merit the name ‘Culture Roads’. Through historical research methodology the current article has sought to study the inter-cultural role of ECO members in civilization and cultural heritage of the ancient roads. Tangible, intangible, written and natural heritage as is common to ECO countries constitute the most important feature of the Silk Road. These countries can play an important role in nominating the Silk Road to be registered globally.