SHARED WISDOM

PRINCIPLES OF DIALOGUE IN ISLAM individuals can go a long way toward promoting positive relations between members of different communities. However, positive propensities need to be promoted at the level of individuals and communities. An atmosphere marred by complaints and hatred must be replaced by love and compassion, thus promoting healthy relationships. PRINCIPLES OF DIALOGUE IN ISLAM Islam prescribes dialogue or peaceful negotiation. This can only take place in an atmosphere of peace. One should inculcate goodwill and well-wishing for others. One aim of inter-religious dialogue should be to seek peaceful solutions to controversial matters. Differences between people are a part of human nature. In ancient times, people often adopted a confrontational course when differences arose. They knew only one way to settle disputes, and that was war. However, democracy ended this way of settling matters and took the man out of the jungle culture and introduced him to the culture of peace. Dialogue, or peace ful negotiation, is the path prescribed by Islam. Violence is forbidden in Islam in general. There is only one exception: in a situation that calls for selfdefense in the wake of external invasion. However, even in this situation, a declaration of war in self-defense is solely the prerogative of an established government. According to Islamic teachings, non-state actors have no right to unleash violence.