"...We are moving into a new epoch of history, a new condition of human life. Many observers describe this new world as the "Knowledge Society" - contrasting it with the Industrial Societies or the Agricultural Societies of the past. In this new era, the predominant source of influence will stem from information, intelligence and insight rather than physical power or natural resources.

This Knowledge Society will confront people everywhere with new challenges-and new opportunities. Clearly this will be true of the Ummah, so let us look, dispassionately, at its present and future.

That will mean embracing the values of collaboration and coordination, openness and partnership, choice and diversity ˜ which will under-gird the Knowledge Society, learning constantly to review and revise and renew what we think we know ˜ learning how to go on learning.

The spirit of the Knowledge Society is the spirit of Pluralism-a readiness to accept the Other, indeed to learn from him, to see difference as an opportunity rather than a threat..."