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Interfaith dialogue: King Abdullah mission spreads faster
ABDUL AZIZ V.K.
Arab News efforts to highlight the message of dialogue, especially positive dialogue, as introduced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, is of significant value and will catch the attention of millions interested in the global movements toward world peace.
The concept of interfaith dialogue has wide influence around the globe and the world is witnessing formation of such platforms for the restoration of peaceful and harmonious co-existence from varied religious groups.
What King Abdullah initiated in the name of interfaith dialogues is not a new idea, but rather it is deep-rooted in religion. The king has rightly considered the interfaith dialogue, besides dawa and debate, as the instruments for the achievement of our cherished vision: World peace.
Confrontation and conflict was never a practice of Islam. It was indeed, positive dialogue, by inviting other believers and ethnic groups, toward commonalities that was divinely intended. Occasionally, when any dispute occurs, a healthy debate may be used to clarify the matter concerned. But these debates should never be used for insult or mud-slinging.
As degeneration set in, Muslims shut the door on seeking knowledge, rituals replaced religion, debate became dawa, while dialogue disappeared from the arena.
Given the bleak global scenario worsened by communal hatred, and anti-Islamic feeling Islamophobia currently sweeping the world, initiating and institutionalizing such a dialogue had become all the more important. Humanity is suffering a loss of moral values and is going through a critical phase where terrorism and crime are on the rise, the poor are being increasingly exploited, and the institution of family is disintegrating.
Inspired by King Abdullah's initiative, the Muslim World League under the aegis of. Dr. Abdullah Abdul Mohsin A. Turki, the MWL secretary-general, embarked on a series of dialogues with other faiths and cultures in many parts of the European world. This has indeed given a very positive impression about Islam and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has helped to clear out a lot of misunderstandings about Islam and Muslims. And this has certainly given an impetus to the idea to grow on its own. And grew, it indeed. The concept took new wings in newer areas, in newer but significant climes and regions.
India has always been a hugely important country in terms of Islam. Housing the second most Muslim population after Indonesia, India despite being a non-Muslim country has a secular character and a heterogeneous population of different faiths and beliefs.
Indian society is no less similar to that of Madinah during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when around 20 percent of the population consisted of Muslims and the rest were followers of other religions.
As a consequence of the spiritual void people suffer when they forget God. The solution for these problems lies on a united approach through dialogue among religions and cultures. The plurality of India demanded an understanding of other beliefs as extremely fruitful for the harmonious coexistence of different religious faiths. The country naturally welcomed the concept of the dialogue, and hence saw in recent times a flurry of important activities.
In February this year, an "International dialogue between Islam and Eastern Religions" was held in New Delhi, which was inaugurated by the Vice President of India Hamid Ansari, and which was attended by leaders and scholars of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. On the national level, it was the first initiative of its kind which was jointly organized by major Indian Muslim organizations, and which was hailed by non-Muslim organizations and eminent scholars and individuals.
India is the citadel of multiculturalism for thousands of years. We find culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse people in this subcontinent. The riot-ridden and prejudicial atmosphere has to be replaced with an era of religious dialogue and co-operation between various sects. Only through dialogue with various communities and ethnic groups, we can positively enrich the culture and diversity of the Indian society for the establishment of peaceful South Asia and thus do greater thing in ensuring conflict deterrence in this volatile region. The organizers of the event hoped that such events would lead to a better understanding and co-existence between the followers of these religions especially in Asia in general and the Indian subcontinent in particular.
King Abdullahs interfaith dialogue mission was further elaborated to include an intra-faith platform called the Forum for Intellectual Dialogue was established in Kerala, the southern state of the country.
Besides, a new movement, "International Interfaith Dialogue-India" was launched at New Delhi on Feb. 21, 2010, with the patronage of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, the former Judge of Supreme Court of India. Dr. K. J. Yesudas, the famous Indian vocal artist and humanitarian activist was declared as the Peace Ambassador of the newly formed dialogue movement. Also Prof M. D. Nalapat of Manipal University UNESCO Peace Chair and great thinker and dialogue veteran was designated as the Chairman, Justice P.K. Shamsuddin, Justice K. A. Abdul Gafoor, Rev Fr Albert, Rev Fr Dr Thomas, Colonel VSM Makkar, Prof. Bahaudin, Swami Agniveshji, Omkar Anand Saraswathi like around 20 dignitaries as directors.
Through dialogue one can chink away at walls; dialogue, in reality, is an effort to meet another person. Peace is a process which is continuing, changing state that needs constant attention and effort. Let us rededicate ourselves to global peace, human dignity, and the eradication of injustice that breeds rage and vengeance. As the Custodian of Two Holy Mosque is enthusiastically interested to spread the noble vision to other parts of the world, we dream for a dialogue under the aegis of Muslim World League conducted in India too in the near future.
Interfaith dialogue: King Abdullah? mission spreads faster - Arab News
ABDUL AZIZ V.K.
Arab News efforts to highlight the message of dialogue, especially positive dialogue, as introduced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, is of significant value and will catch the attention of millions interested in the global movements toward world peace.
The concept of interfaith dialogue has wide influence around the globe and the world is witnessing formation of such platforms for the restoration of peaceful and harmonious co-existence from varied religious groups.
What King Abdullah initiated in the name of interfaith dialogues is not a new idea, but rather it is deep-rooted in religion. The king has rightly considered the interfaith dialogue, besides dawa and debate, as the instruments for the achievement of our cherished vision: World peace.
Confrontation and conflict was never a practice of Islam. It was indeed, positive dialogue, by inviting other believers and ethnic groups, toward commonalities that was divinely intended. Occasionally, when any dispute occurs, a healthy debate may be used to clarify the matter concerned. But these debates should never be used for insult or mud-slinging.
As degeneration set in, Muslims shut the door on seeking knowledge, rituals replaced religion, debate became dawa, while dialogue disappeared from the arena.
Given the bleak global scenario worsened by communal hatred, and anti-Islamic feeling Islamophobia currently sweeping the world, initiating and institutionalizing such a dialogue had become all the more important. Humanity is suffering a loss of moral values and is going through a critical phase where terrorism and crime are on the rise, the poor are being increasingly exploited, and the institution of family is disintegrating.
Inspired by King Abdullah's initiative, the Muslim World League under the aegis of. Dr. Abdullah Abdul Mohsin A. Turki, the MWL secretary-general, embarked on a series of dialogues with other faiths and cultures in many parts of the European world. This has indeed given a very positive impression about Islam and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has helped to clear out a lot of misunderstandings about Islam and Muslims. And this has certainly given an impetus to the idea to grow on its own. And grew, it indeed. The concept took new wings in newer areas, in newer but significant climes and regions.
India has always been a hugely important country in terms of Islam. Housing the second most Muslim population after Indonesia, India despite being a non-Muslim country has a secular character and a heterogeneous population of different faiths and beliefs.
Indian society is no less similar to that of Madinah during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when around 20 percent of the population consisted of Muslims and the rest were followers of other religions.
As a consequence of the spiritual void people suffer when they forget God. The solution for these problems lies on a united approach through dialogue among religions and cultures. The plurality of India demanded an understanding of other beliefs as extremely fruitful for the harmonious coexistence of different religious faiths. The country naturally welcomed the concept of the dialogue, and hence saw in recent times a flurry of important activities.
In February this year, an "International dialogue between Islam and Eastern Religions" was held in New Delhi, which was inaugurated by the Vice President of India Hamid Ansari, and which was attended by leaders and scholars of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. On the national level, it was the first initiative of its kind which was jointly organized by major Indian Muslim organizations, and which was hailed by non-Muslim organizations and eminent scholars and individuals.
India is the citadel of multiculturalism for thousands of years. We find culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse people in this subcontinent. The riot-ridden and prejudicial atmosphere has to be replaced with an era of religious dialogue and co-operation between various sects. Only through dialogue with various communities and ethnic groups, we can positively enrich the culture and diversity of the Indian society for the establishment of peaceful South Asia and thus do greater thing in ensuring conflict deterrence in this volatile region. The organizers of the event hoped that such events would lead to a better understanding and co-existence between the followers of these religions especially in Asia in general and the Indian subcontinent in particular.
King Abdullahs interfaith dialogue mission was further elaborated to include an intra-faith platform called the Forum for Intellectual Dialogue was established in Kerala, the southern state of the country.
Besides, a new movement, "International Interfaith Dialogue-India" was launched at New Delhi on Feb. 21, 2010, with the patronage of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, the former Judge of Supreme Court of India. Dr. K. J. Yesudas, the famous Indian vocal artist and humanitarian activist was declared as the Peace Ambassador of the newly formed dialogue movement. Also Prof M. D. Nalapat of Manipal University UNESCO Peace Chair and great thinker and dialogue veteran was designated as the Chairman, Justice P.K. Shamsuddin, Justice K. A. Abdul Gafoor, Rev Fr Albert, Rev Fr Dr Thomas, Colonel VSM Makkar, Prof. Bahaudin, Swami Agniveshji, Omkar Anand Saraswathi like around 20 dignitaries as directors.
Through dialogue one can chink away at walls; dialogue, in reality, is an effort to meet another person. Peace is a process which is continuing, changing state that needs constant attention and effort. Let us rededicate ourselves to global peace, human dignity, and the eradication of injustice that breeds rage and vengeance. As the Custodian of Two Holy Mosque is enthusiastically interested to spread the noble vision to other parts of the world, we dream for a dialogue under the aegis of Muslim World League conducted in India too in the near future.
Interfaith dialogue: King Abdullah? mission spreads faster - Arab News
