Interfaith and Inter-Cultural Dialogue

1. Interfaith and Inter-Cultural Dialogue The Muslim Perspectives Maguid A. Maruhom

2. In Response to . . . . • Building the Culture of Peace - Shaping the Vision - Living the Dream 1. Why is this essential? 2. Can interfaith dialogue contribute ? 3. Is collaboration of different faiths possible? 4. How is it possible, what makes it possible?

3. Quick Scan on Present Realities: Where we are…. • A fast changing, modernizing and globalizing society with mix population (race, culture, faith, etc.) • Deeply rooted misunderstanding between people (historical, breed misconceptions and stereotypes and causing bigotry, prejudice, discrimination, intolerance, etc., influenced interpretation of scripture). • Religion had been used as engine of conflict and violence (in the past and until now). • Humanity is faced with common enormous social & environmental challenges (relational problem, moral, victimizes all, threatens dignity, life and existence, caused by culture). • Faith and morality is side-lined in the development of social structures and quest for solutions.

4. Relational Problems in Society (bringing injustices & conflicts) 1. Cultural (invented way of life) 2. Personal (weaknesses & strengths, conditioned by culture) 3. Structural (political, economic, social policies & institutions) - Conclusion: ‘Parable of the Boat’

5. Humanity’s Response • Journey together and struggle of people of different faiths facing similar problems/difficulties in shaping a pluralist culture shared by all and responsive to the root causes of present social and environmental challenges of society. • Through the paradigm called ‘’Unity in Diversity’ - How is this possible?

6. Defining Interfaith/Inter-Cultural Dialogue • Talking and listening activity of two or more individuals or groups that involves faith & culture (no debate, no proselytizing). • Promote understanding on differences and commonness, particularly issues relating to faith and culture. • Promote enrichment of one’s faith through listening on faith and life experience of others. • Promote understanding and consciousness on causes of problems of society. • Promote respect, tolerance, fellowship, solidarity & collaboration of people of different faiths and cultures. • Promote peace and harmonious co-existence and the common good.

7. Interfaith Dialogue Methodlogy • The methodology does not aim to unify religious traditions on particular religious, ethical, or theological norms. • Rather it simply creates frameworks in which a wide range of communities can find organic ways of working with one another for the common good.

8. Levels of Interfaith Dialogue (As to Purpose) • Interfaith dialogue that seeks to address problems of understanding for the purpose of promoting respect, tolerance, trust for one another and reconciliation. • Interfaith dialogue that seeks to promote understanding and solidarity to respond to local issues affecting peace and development and for joint advocacy on common issues (conflict transformation). • Interfaith dialogue that seeks to promote understanding and solidarity to respond to morality issues, social justice and social change for the common good (addressing the problem of culture).

9. Interfaith Dialogue for Understanding & Solidarity • We have people who share common challenges, searching for solution, yearning for change. • We are deeply committed & inspired by truth from teachings of our religious traditions (Majority of the people of the world had religion, particularly in Asia) • Common understanding of ethical and moral values inspired by our faiths. • Christians are inspired by the wisdom of Vatican II. • Muslims are inspired by practices of the Prophet of Islam. • We share common spiritual understanding of one common God and of human responsibility and accountability., among others • We share the vision for peace and justice in the notion of the “Kingdom of God” or “Darusalam” for Muslims. • Theologically, our religious teachings have many things in common because they come from a common origin (the Abrahamic faith).

10. "Religious Pluralism is the view that all religions are equally valid as ways to God. Just as there are many paths up Mt. Fuji, so there are many paths to God. Differences among the religions are superficial; they all lead to the same goal. “Rick Rood

11. Similarities: • God (oneness, essence & attributes, love, justice, compassion) • Integrity of creation (interrelation) • Humanity (spirit in man, strengths and weaknesses, human responsibility and accountability, one humanity, etc.) • Relation with environment • Moral values and principles (social justice, love, equality, freedom, sacredness of life, human dignity & rights, compassion, meekness, honesty, kindness, service, charity, etc.) • Democracy & equality & the notion of a just social order • Notion of the ‘Kingdom of God’ (encompassing justice, abundance, love, fullness of life , peace) • Cultural values (bayanihan, hospitality, kindness, service, food, etc.) - Many similarities responsive to our common challenges that we can unite on….(the clash of cultures and civilizations is a myth).

12. Differences: • Doctrinal matters (Trinity & Christian sacraments, Muslim pillars of Islam, manner of praying, religious rituals, etc.) • Cultural matters (baptismal, courtship, marriage and divorce, clothing, death, etc.) • Interpretation of historical facts. (war of conquests, crusade, colonization, the empires, bringing ignorant of each other, misconceptions, stereotypes, prejudice, etc.) - Respect for Diversity and Tolerance. - Qur’an injunction on respect of faith of others and upholding freedom of thought and religion. - Vie for righteousness.

13. Process in Interfaith Dialogue • Intra-people or Intra-faith Dialogue - Re-examination of present realities (analysis) - Re-reading of history (reading between lines) - Re-interpretation of scripture (rational, relevance) - Human responsibility & accountability - Conversion (from exclusivity to inclusivity, love, peace, justice, respect, tolerance, etc.)

14. Process in Interfaith Dialogue • Developing Leadership (Integral way) - Prophetic leadership - Deeper commitment - Consciousness and capability - Catalysts for change (grow like yeast) - Organizing interfaith core of leaders (team) - Action plans - Organize interfaith dialogue bodies

15. Process in Interfaith Dialogue • Organizing Interfaith Dialogue Bodies - Meeting regularly - Fellowship activities(dining together & socialization) - Praying together as one - Sharing of faith and experiences of life - Discussion of social issues (local & global) - Planning joint advocacies

16. Process in Interfaith Dialogue • Joint Advocacy (side by side) - Social Justice and moral issues - Human rights - Good Governance - Environment Care and Protection - Security and Peace and Order - Other social and environmental Issues

17. Process in Interfaith Dialogue • Networking - Link with other groups for joint advocacy - Link with others for resources - Networking for deepening - Organize dialogues with other groups

18. Process in Interfaith Dialogue • Sustainability & Growth: - Development of deeper commitment - Integration of the social and spiritual aspects - Development of common values & principles - Development of common dream or vision - Winning some your advocacies - Replication and growing like yeast (involving the grassroots)

19. Affirmation and Last Words: • The journey of people of different faith to struggle together for change or reform using their faiths, talents, energy, resources and time is not only necessary but surely possible. • This should continue to nourish our hopes to make our journey together possible. • Critical factor – consciousness on causes of our social challenges and development of a common vision for society based on inspiration of our faiths and shared values and principles that leads to the shaping of a common culture of peace. • This could be the only possible solution to the enormous social & environmental challenges we face together and the chance for humanity and his world to survive. Thank you