On inter-faith dialogue

Four examples of such efforts as recorded in the book showed that in Germany and England efforts have set a positive trend but in Nigeria and Indonesia, they were yet to overcome the differences and set the things in a right motion. A period of ten years in a history is not much of a long period but for a pilot project, it is definitely a long time. Nevertheless whatever has been achieved, efforts should continue for the realisation of the cause. In order to bring changes, primarily the change in attitude is the most essential. Towards that end, the following issues may assist us to comprehend a new era of inter-religious harmony and camaraderie instead of age-old animosity:

Christianity & Islam originated from the same part of the world: It is well known that the Christians and the Muslims share many common beliefs as both the faiths have originated from the same part of the world. Even they have some common prophets. Moreover, historically and culturally the believers of both the faiths are closely connected. Theologically too they can be correlated. So, open minded and mutually respectful discussions will reveal that the essence of both the religions, basically all the religions of the world, is same in view of that they stand for peace, love, justice, truth, character and co-existence. The differences are prevalent in rites and rituals.

Christian-Muslim Dialogue should be given a chance: In this context, the efforts through inter-religious dialogues will practically bring the believers of both the religions together at the outset and will bear some positive results if they are conducted in proper perspective and direction. Unbiased consideration of the matter will help remove the superficial differences and the unhealthy sense of competitiveness and nonsense enmity.

Dialogue to be based on Ethics and practices, not doctrines: While carrying out the inter-faith dialogue, the religious doctrinal issues should no way come up for discussion. It is comprehensible that the faithful (Christians and Muslims) may never agree on issues of their believed doctrines, but as to issues of ethics and social responsibilities, the followers of both the religions should not have any inhibition to come together. On such issues it is not only desirable but also possible to work together for mutual benefits and peaceful co-existence.

Top to bottom trickle down approach to be adopted in the beginning: Normally the people of top echelons of religious hierarchy can easily influence the people at lower echelons and down to the grassroots level. If leaders of both the faiths, in particular the religious leaders can show mutual respects and take measures to promote relationship, the general members of both the communities will be able to come together soon in brotherly and sisterly love and affection. Common people are by nature simple, loving, peaceful, positively pro-active responsive to rescue somebody in troubles irrespective of cast, creed or religion, and receptive. As such the discussions given a chance, will gather momentum and bear fruitful and comprehensive understanding, growing stronger everyday, if religious clerics take up sincere initiatives.

Frequent Seminars, Symposia, Workshop etc. to be the tools: The participation of general people from both the faiths focusing on practical sides and avoiding theoretical debates on superiority of one faith over the other, will promote mutual understanding and broaden the sense of fraternity.

The interfaith dialogues, communications, seminars, workshops can foster relation of friendship, joy in each other's compassion and fulfilment. This interfaith dialogue is essential in solving practical problems and will open up a door of opportunities for cooperation, mutual trust, respect and tolerance within the framework of the religious diversity. It will churn not only an undisturbed co-existence mode but promote a strong fabric of social bond of growing respect, trust and teamwork. This will gradually instill a sense of goodwill and reverence for each other's faith. Seminars, Symposia, Workshops and so on will serve as tools in the hands of the true visionaries for achieving the religious harmony, which is very much needed today, more than any other time.

Clerics of both the communities to soothe: By the sermons delivered in the Churches and in the Mosques, if religious tolerance is re-iterated, it will effectively enhance interfaith relationship and mutual bond. It is generally seen that the religious leadership that starts from the church/mosque have far greater impact on the common people than any other leadership, particularly in the third world countries like Bangladesh. Good sermons lead the people to the good path and the bad misguide the congregation to violence and destructions.

The sooner the leaders of both the faiths understand the importance of inter-faith dialogue, the earlier the notion for Christian-Muslim peaceful co-existence will emerge and solidify as an epitome on a firm footing and encourage the members of both the communities to take part in humanitarian services as well as in propagating the glory of the Almighty without offending anybody.

In a world, where believers are moving away from the tenets of their respective religions, senseless mayhem and destructions are taking place in the name of religions, dialogues (inter-faith and intra-sect) can help us in comprehending principles of our own faiths, assessing how effectively we put those principles into practice and how we have been created different by the Almighty to accept each other in the unity and serenity of diversity. Godspeed to inter-faith dialogues.