Interfaith Dialogue Promotes Proximity

INTERFAITH DIALOGUE PROMOTES PROXIMITY On the way, I read the English newspaper of Nagpur, Lokmat Times (November 11, 1992). It had a detailed report on the evening convention. Referring to my speech, the following news was given in the newspaper: “The President of the Islamic Centre and editor, Al-Risala, New Delhi, Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, said there was a need for introspection as to why the India of our dreams could not be realized. Blaming both the Hindu as well as Muslim communities, Mr. Khan said that there was almost an obsessive attempt to create a uni-cultural India. He blamed the Muslim community for not having played a creative role in the post-independence period. He said that the feeling of insecurity that had crept into the minority community had prevented them from playing a creative role. He said that they should stop being only a ‘taker group’ and become, on the contrary, the ‘giver group.’” INTERFAITH DIALOGUE PROMOTES PROXIMITY Distance creates misunderstandings, while proximity eliminates them, turning strangers into friends. Interfaith dialogue is the way to promote proximity. In the second half of December 1992, a ‘Shanti Yatra’ (Journey of Peace) occurred after the Ayodhya incident. It involved travelling to many places, including Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, and Mumbai (Mumbai), and back to Delhi. In this