I recently spoke at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium in Budapest (Central Europe’s largest educational institution and research center). MCC’s writeup of the event moderated by Ralph Schoellhammer follows:
Raymond Ibrahim, a historian and author, shared his expertise on the long-standing conflict between Islam and the West at the latest Budapest Lecture. He critiqued the Western narrative that treats these conflicts as isolated events, instead highlighting Islam’s historical appeal to tribal societies and its role in shaping political and cultural struggles. Ibrahim suggests that as Christianity declines in Europe, a spiritual vacuum is emerging—one that Islam is rapidly filling. He advocated for a return to Christian moral values to preserve Western civilization, asserting that cultural strength, not just political power, is key to resisting radical ideologies.
Ibrahim argued that current conflicts involving Islam and the West have deep historical roots rather than being modern phenomena. He critiques the mainstream Western narrative, which portrays events like 9/11 as isolated incidents unrelated to Islam. Ibrahim traces a continuous historical pattern of Islamic conquests and conflicts dating back to the 7th century. He highlights that historical Muslim sources present these conflicts in religious terms, similar to ISIS rhetoric today. He also references early U.S. conflicts with Barbary pirates to illustrate this continuity. Ibrahim contends that the West largely ignores this historical context, leading to misunderstandings.
According to him Islam historically appealed to tribal peoples—Arabs, Turks, and Berbers—because it mirrored their traditional “us vs. them” mindset. Instead of blood-based loyalty, Islam redefined tribalism around religious identity, where Muslims form one “tribe” and non-Muslims are enemies. He points to Quranic verses that prioritize religious allegiance over family ties. Ibrahim suggests that Islam legitimized conquest, plunder, and warfare, not based on race but on religious identity, making it a natural fit for historically tribal societies. Islam is tribalism deified – blood relations are replaced by the relationship between fellow Muslims. Islam appeals to the most basic needs of the people – he said.
He suggested that Islam’s historical trajectory differs from the typical pattern of societal liberalization over time. In the early 20th century, many Muslim societies, particularly in the Middle East, emulated Western culture, as seen in images of Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon resembling Europe. This shift was due to Islam historically aligning with power, and during colonial rule, the West was dominant. However, as the West declined in confidence and cultural pride, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, Muslims no longer saw it as a “strong horse” to follow. Instead, they turned back to Islam, leading to the resurgence of radicalism, culminating in events like the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Figures like Sayyid Qutb viewed Western culture as depraved, promoting the idea that while Western technology was useful, its values were corrupt. Meanwhile, Westerners reinforced Islamic identity by portraying Islam positively, inadvertently fueling its radical resurgence. He claimed that while Western influence is present in the Muslim world, it is largely superficial and utilitarian rather than a cultural shift. Islam’s core teachings are fundamentally opposed to Western values, creating an inherent conflict. While many Muslims do not strictly follow religious doctrine, those who deeply study and apply Islam often adopt its more rigid and intolerant aspects. The religion operates like tribalism—defining outsiders as enemies rather than promoting coexistence. This explains why some Western converts embrace jihad rather than a more mystical interpretation of Islam. The challenge lies in the contrast between Islamic teachings and Western societal norms.
As Christianity fades in Europe, a spiritual vacuum emerges that materialism cannot fill. Islam, with its aggressive proponents, is making deep inroads, including among converts. Historically, Muslims attempted to invade Europe for centuries, but Christians resisted with faith. Now, without Christianity, Europe lacks a strong foundation to counter Islam’s spread.
He believes Europe should reconnect with its Christian heritage—not by forcing religious belief, but by reinstating Christian moral values into society. These ethical teachings, particularly from the New Testament, were the foundation of Western greatness. They fostered a prosperous, ethical civilization, even when taken for granted. The decline of these values has left a void that weakens society. While personal faith remains a private matter, applying Christian moral principles in public life can restore strength and stability. Europe once stood as the bastion of Christendom; returning to those roots, even without religious conviction, can lead to a stronger, thriving society.