Inter-Faith Dialogue to Save the World

In the Name of God

Excellencies,

Presidents and Intellectuals,

At first I would like to thank the Inter Action Council for holding this important session in Saudi Arabia. I would also like to thank Saudi brothers for their hospitality. For me, this is a precious opportunity to discuss critical global matters, the role of religion in society and opportunities for peace and understanding.

Looking back at history, we can not deny the role of religion in creating, developing and cultivating civilizations. Neither can we overlook the impact religions have had on human values. However, it can not be denied that some bitter bloodsheds have been initiated or perpetuated by religious convictions.

One root of violence is the existence of diverse, rigid identities which seek their existence in extermination of others. Holders of such identities are so inflicted by self-centeredness and prejudice that they see no way other than force and feud to release from or usurp the identity of ’others’.

There is no doubt that religion gives identity to its followers, and "the Sacred" is the essence of religion. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility that sacredness transmits to the religious identity of individuals and societies. If this happens, faith can become a cause of intolerance, an instrument to exercise violence against those identities considered as unsacred or inferior. However, these should be regarded as the effect an erroneous interpretations of religion –suprahistorical in essence- by individuals –who are historical beings.

As a follower of Islam, I know try to demonstrate how not only faith does not incite aggression and violence, but is even capable of promoting tolerance and moral relations in its utmost among humankind.

The Holy Qur’an characterizes faith and the believers’ such:

” وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ کُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَمَلآئِکَتِهِ وَکُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَیْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ ...“

(Baghareh: 285)

The messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers; they all believe in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers; We make no difference between any of His messengers (translations by Shakir)

Based on this verse, a believer is one who has faith in all prophets –not only Mohammad (pbuh)-, the angels and holy book. To dispel all doubts, it insists that there is no difference between prophets.

With such a perspective, a believer in Islam is positioned inside a framework of identity which includes those who believe in other religions. This identity not only promotes tolerance, but also creates unity among followers of different religions. In other words, like other religions, Islam develops a faith-related identity that sets its followers inside a certain frame; however, this identity doesn’t reject other identities, but may even incorporate them. Islam also invites the followers of other faiths to gather in a circle that transcends a particular identity:

” قُلْ یَا أَهْلَ الْکِتَابِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى کَلَمَةٍ سَوَاء بَیْنَنَا وَبَیْنَکُمْ أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِکَ بِهِ شَیْئًا وَلاَیَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضاً أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ ...“

(Al-e-Imran: 64)

Say: O followers of the Book! come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah.

Thus, this represents an inclusive identity with two pillars: freedom and worshipping God.

But on the relation between Islam and Christianity, not only dialogue is both possible and necessary, but also there is a need for co-existence and cooperation for global peace in a critical, chaotic period of history. Dialogue between Islam and Christianity on peace has been pertinently and beautifully articulated by Jesus Christ in this Qur’anic verse:

وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَیَّ یَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَیَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَیَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَیًّا

(Maryam: 33)

And peace on me on the day I was born, and on the day I die, and on the day I am raised to life.

The word ’Salaam’ means both peace and salute. Salam means non-contamination by internal and external plagues. In the Qur’anic context, the meaning of salaam is close to that of ’amn’ or security. The difference is that salaam is an absolute term, while amn is relative, as in being secure from war or illness.

Since it has been mentioned in Qur’an, the aforementioned passage is related to Islam, and since is quoted from Jesus, it is related to Christianity. Jesus Christ is talking of peace, which makes the verse a tableau that shows a dialogue between Christianity and Islam for peace.

The peace mentioned in this verse, and many other important religious texts, does not exactly accord, though it overlaps, with the one defined in political science. The century we passed was one full of violence, whether in form of two world wars, or regional wars, cold war, and the spread of a vile phenomenon: terrorism. In the third millennium terrorism showed its repulsive face in New York and Washington, ironically providing warmongers with an excuse to turn our world into a war-ridden, hate-inflicted planet.

If the last century witnessed historic social, technological and scientific achievements, it also inflamed violence and hatred. Violence and hatred reinforced each other, made life difficult in east and west of the world and the distress they caused deprived people from the joy of life. A look at the causes of this situation will show us that religion had nothing to do with it, but it was voiding life of ethics and spirituality that led to the current situation, when humankind’s progress towards rational and social perfection should have improved the quality of life and relations between individuals, at both national and international levels. Ideals not always match with realities however.

Since human changes with time and by trial and error, he can yet aspire for perfection. Even within an atmosphere of war and violence, we heard voices calling for dialogue among civilizations and a global agreement made the United Nations to call year 2001 as the Year of Dialogue among Civilizations. This was a sign of reason and kindness overcoming fury and hatred.

The earth had to be watered with human’s blood for centuries so that today, everyone would easily accept the primacy of dialogue over war. Of course we know how long it will take for the realization of this evident principle in international relations.

History and its bitter happenings should have taught every nation some lessons and this may be a cause of the tragic life of humankind. If it was possible to learn from religious texts, and from history without any pain and anguish, then many of catastrophes could have been avoided. If experience was not necessary for learning, these few lines from the Holy Book are sufficient for all human:

"And He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Book of Isaiah, 2:4)

Most important of all is discussing issues which have become the prerequisite for realization of peace and justice in the world, such as preventing war and terrorism. War should not be justified under the pretext of fighting terrorism anymore. Violence and war in today’s world are an outcome of abiding misunderstandings and in the meantime cause hatred and insecurity.

Both faiths have called their followers to practice coexistence and peace. Just as Christianity and Judaism, Islam affirms the godly nature of human. While being a merit for us, this calls for an unceasing moral endeavor to achieve global peace and overcome hatred and hostility. That’s how we can picture a world in which Christians, Jews and Muslims aren’t tempted by those utilitarianists and war mongers who try to confront them together. They can stand by each other and seek a peace which is based on justice and good life for all.

Establishing peace needs peace-loving humans. Peace is achieved only when individuals have made their hearts the heavenly kingdom of God. It is by God’s rule over people’s heart that war and hatred will vanish. It is by God’s rule that we will be released from fear, greed, hate and violence forever, seeking for devotion and kindness instead.

God’s love is the elixir alchemists were craving for centuries. It is with his gracious name that we will defeat war and our life will find its deserved meaning. The name of God, the name for all virtues and beauties, should not be usurped to stir war and hatred and moronically talk of running another Crusade. Our world must not become so morally corrupt that turn deaf ear to the plea of the weakers. Otherwise, it would fuel a tension that will leave no one safe.

Beyond our disputes, which are mainly historical and negligible, we should initiate a dialogue based on our commonalities and end the nightmare we are facing as a result of diverting from justice.

Our religion is called "Islam" and Islam is of the same root with salaam which means peace. Believing in Islam implicates submitting our self-centered wills at the hands of an all-kind God. Isn’t this what Moses, Jesus and all great prophets asked their followers for? So a true Muslim, a true Christian, or a true Jew is one who accepts God’s invitation to the land of peace.

Salaam is one of the most beautiful Qur’anic words and God uses this word when narrating the life of Jesus Christ. That’s how he opens the gate towards the peace for us.