Because of increased population densities, because of better communications, we are experiencing a global contraction. But this does not necessarily mean that communities and nations are growing closer. Rabbi Tanenbaum implied that by getting closer and thereby getting to know each other, the likelihood of misunderstanding and conflict would be reduced. As a Muslim, allow me tonight to paraphrase a verse of the Koran. It says that men and women and tribes were created so that you can know each other.
Communication is a good start to knowing each other.
And knowing each other is something that we must lay to do. The alternative is tragic. Humankind gravitates toward violence. That is the source of my concern, especially when we come to the next century. The next century will be the century of clashes between cultures.