INT’L SYMPOSIUM (part V) What is the aim of interfaith dialogue? The main objective of interfaith dialogue is understanding. By understanding others beliefs and practices you will somehow learn to appreciate the value of diversity. You will be reminded of what Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “If Allah had willed, He would have made you one nation, but that He may test you in what He has given you; so compete in good deeds. To Allah is your return all together, then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ” (surah al-Maidah 5: 48). Interfaith dialogue is not to win over the other or to come to a total agreement or a universal religion. The ideal is communication in order to bridge the gulfs of mutual ignorance and misunderstandings between the different cultures of the world, letting them speak and speak out their own insights in their own languages. Hence, mutual respect rather than disrespect will be the outcome. Be open and willing to listen without judgment to the spiritual journeys, views, and experiences of people from other religions as opposed to debating which religion is right or wrong, which inhibits real listening, learning, and dialogue in such situations. After all, everybody claims that his/her religion is right and even said with conviction, the only accepted religion in the sight of God. Personally, I appreciate and admire those people who hold to that principle. I for one, if I don’t believe that Islam is the only religion accepted in the eyes of Allah, I should have leave Islam and find another one. But, with certainty, I believed, affirmed and confirmed that Islam is the one and only accepted religion in the presence of Allah. Allah made this clear when He said: “Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam” (Surah al-Imran 3: 19) In verse 85 of the same Surah, Allah emphasized that “Whosoever find a religion other than Islam it will never be accepted of him and will be among the losers in the Day Hereafter.” In surah al-Maidah 5, verse 3, Allah declared, “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you and have chosen Islam as your religion.” As a matter of fact, this is the very reason why I am proud to be a Muslim, then and now, and until I die insha Allah. I am sure, the Christians, the Jews and other faiths would claim the same and say so. However, whatever beliefs we are holding on this should not become a hindrance to respect others belief. Nevertheless, the final judgment will be on the Day Hereafter. And the one who will judge us is no other than Almighty Allah Himself, The Ever-Just. Do not try to convert anyone from his or her religion to yours. This goes against the whole importance of respecting people’s diverse religions and being open to learning about them. As mentioned earlier, guidance is from Allah alone not from us. Respect the diversity of traditions. Let people from each religion speak for themselves, from their own experience, about what it means to practice that religion. Avoid pretending you know better than him/her about his/her religion. I had a bad experience during our interethnic dialogue training in Dekalb, Illinois, USA. One time we were travelling, it was quite a long travel in fact. If I were to wait to reach our destination to perform my combined obligatory prayers, I will be missing them. So I asked my companions to give me some space for prayer. Unexpectedly, someone said, I think your lord, Allah, is understanding, too, like my God. Honestly, I was upset but responded to him with courtesy: “Please do not talk about my religion as I know better about Islam than you do.” Allow the possibility of some common spirituality that underlies all the diversity of religions through which that spirituality expresses itself. Realize that one can enrich one’s own spiritual-religious life by being open to learning from other traditions without having to leave one’s own tradition. Understand that human beings – throughout prerecorded time and recorded history, in different cultures and civilizations around the world – have sought to reflect on the deeper meaning and purpose of life to honor the unknown and mysterious, and to connect to something spiritual and eternal beyond this transient material world and life. This search for deeper meaning and connection unites us all. More soon…
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:07:57 +0000
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