DIALOGUE IN RELIGION

DIALOGUE IN RELIGION R ELIGIOUS differences have always existed between people. That is why inter-religious dialogue has been found in one form or the other since ancient times. Fourteen hundred years ago, the Prophet of Islam held a three-religion conference in Medina to exchange views on religious issues. Such attempts have repeatedly been made in history. The circumstances that unfolded following World War II led the Church, in particular, to pay great attention to this issue. Through its continuous efforts, dialogues of this nature are regularly being held in various countries, between Muslims and Christians in particular. These efforts have borne fruit. As an example of Christian-Muslim solidarity, during the Arab Spring protests in Cairo, Muslims and Christians protected each other whilst they prayed. If the Quran is consulted on this subject, we find two main principles on which to hold dialogues. One is derived from this verse of the Quran — “Say: O People of the Book, let us come to a word common to us and you that we will worship none but God.” THE QURAN, 3: 64 The first and foremost principle for any dialogue held to discuss two or more religions is to strive to find a mutual basis for peaceful co-existence. Finding common ground in secular matters is comparatively easy, for nothing is held as sacred in secularism. On the contrary, everything is sacred in religion. That is why it becomes the most difficult task to find a basis for agreement in religious matters. However, despite all difficulties, we must continue our peaceful efforts, irrespective of the results. The second principle given to us by the Quran is purely a matter of pragmatism. We learn that matters should be settled on practical grounds, avoiding their theoretical aspects.This principle is derived from this verse of the Quran —