A United Nations of Religious Groups / One World Interfaith
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Dialogue among civilizations — New York Declaration to commend Saudi interfaith initiative
P.K. Abdul Ghafour I Arab News
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah holds talks with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah in New York on
JEDDAH/NEW YORK: World leaders have started arriving in New York for the landmark UN General Assembly meeting on the Culture of Peace, which will emphasize the need to respect all cultures and reject the exploitation of religious faiths to kill innocent people.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who initiated the interfaith dialogue by organizing a major conference in July in the Spanish capital Madrid, will address the UN meeting tomorrow. According to one UN source, about 50 world leaders and heads of state have confirmed their participation in the meeting.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will hold a news conference today in order to highlight the significance of the Culture of Peace Conference in strengthening cooperation between member countries, ending disputes and promoting the peaceful coexistence of nations. “The New York Declaration will commend Saudi Arabia’s initiative in holding the conference. It will reject the use of religious faith to justify the killing of innocent people and emphasize the need to respect various religious faiths and cultures and their leaders,” one source said.
The participants are expected to call for promoting a culture of tolerance and mutual understanding through dialogue. They will also support the proposals of religious leaders, civil societies and UN member countries to deepen a culture of dialogue among different faiths.
King Abdullah, who was the first world leader to arrive in New York for the conference, yesterday met Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah and discussed major regional and global developments as well as the agenda of the UN peace and interfaith conference.
US President George W. Bush, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, Israeli President Shimon Peres, King Abdallah of Jordan, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, are expected at the conference.
Saleh Bin-Humaid, president of the Shoura Council, yesterday praised the Saudi king for taking the initiative to promote interfaith dialogue at global level. “This reflects King Abdullah’s desire to achieve world peace and stability and spread Islamic culture that calls for dialogue, tolerance and respect for other cultures,” he said during an address to a regular Shoura meeting in Riyadh.
Saudi officials highlighted the importance of the UN conference and said it would promote peaceful coexistence and condemn extremism. “This hits at the extremists, who we say are wrong in terms of Islam,” said Mohammed Al-Zulfa, a member of the Shoura. He described King Abdullah as an advocate of interfaith dialogue. “Our king has a good vision of world peace.” Al-Zulfa said Islam was the first religion to call for dialogue.
Pakistan announced yesterday that President Asif Ali Zardari would attend the conference. “Pakistan fully supports the initiative of King Abdullah for interfaith and intercultural dialogue to promote peace, understanding, and tolerance among human beings as well as respect for all their diverse religious, cultural and linguistic identities,” said the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
http://arabnews.com/?page=4§ion=0&article=116207&d=11&m=11&y=2008&pix=world.jpg&category=World
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Pope: Dialogue among religions should be pursuedBy ALESSANDRA RIZZO ; Associated Press Writer Published: November 24th, 2008 06:39 AM | Updated: November 24th, 2008 07:09 AMVATICAN CITY -- Jewish and Muslim leaders on Monday cautiously praised recent remarks by Pope Benedict XVI, who said that dialogue among faiths should be pursued even though it is impossible on strictly religious issues.
The comments in an open letter published Sunday in Italy's leading daily, Corriere della Sera, marked the latest statement by Benedict on the subject.
The pontiff has often discussed the theme of dialogue among religions and has worked for the improvement of interfaith relations.
But he also angered many Muslims in a 2006 speech about Islam and violence, although relations have improved since then.
In his letter, the pope was commenting on an upcoming book by a conservative politician and scholar, Marcello Pera, who has long spoken in defense of Europe's Christian roots.
The pope said the book "explains clearly that an interreligious dialogue in the strict sense of the word is not possible." The pope elaborated that "real dialogue" on religious choices is not possible "without putting one's faith in parentheses."
But he said that "it's necessary to face, in a public dialogue, the cultural consequences of fundamental religious choices."
"Here, dialogue, as well as mutual correction and enrichment, are both possible and necessary," Benedict wrote.
Since becoming pope in 2005, Benedict has made improving interfaith relations a theme of his pontificate. He has visited synagogues during trips to Germany and the United States, and a mosque during a visit to Turkey.
Earlier this month, the Vatican hosted a Catholic-Muslim conference intended to help the two faiths find common ground.
The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said Benedict's words do "not put in doubt the pope's interreligious commitment."
"(Interreligious) dialogue does not mean questioning one's own faith," Lombardi said. "It deals with the many other aspects that come from one's personal belief, cultural, historical ... as well as their consequences."
Rome's chief rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, welcomed the pope's remarks "for their clarity." He said the comments were "opportune and interesting" in that they set the limits of religious dialogue.
"Faiths cannot hold dialogue beyond a certain point because there are insurmountable limits," Di Segni told The Associated Press on Monday. "This is a limit to all religious dialogue: It's not like a political negotiation where I give you this and that and we make peace. It's not like we give up dogmas."
Di Segni, however, urged clarification on certain elements in the pope's remarks, such as where to draw the line between religious dialogue as opposed to cultural dialogue.
"He has set the limits, which were necessary. We must then see where it goes from there," the Jewish leader said.
A spokesman for an Italian Muslim Group, UCOII, also called for further clarification. He told Corriere della Sera that "dialogue among believers exists: We don't hold a dialogue on our faiths ... but we do on how we can coexist, each in our diversity."
http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/world/story/547693.html
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The UN Interfaith Dialogue
Those who are smirking about President Gloria Arroyo’s attendance of the Special United Nations General Assembly on Interfaith Dialogue to discuss the “Culture of Peace” should realize the event’s importance.
The Philippines is the first country to endorse this worthy undertaking to the United Nations after it was started by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, who has been at the forefront of efforts to promote global peace and harmony.
The Philippines itself has been holding interfaith dialogues. It has successfully urged other Asean countries to do so as a means to promote peace and understanding.
King Abdullah is of course pleased that the project that he initiated in Madrid has now been picked up by the United Nations. For two days, the UN General Assembly will concentrate—we hope the believers among them will pray—on friendship, brotherhood, cooperation and genuine respect for the dignity of fellowmen (and women) even if they do not belong to the same religion.
The Saudi king himself acknowledges that the holding of interfaith dialogues is not his own idea and that it is in fact not new. Many similar dialogues have been held before. What makes the Saudi initiative needful in our time is that it also encourages other Muslim and Arab countries to believe in it, to join in the process of being one in attempting to get to know and understand other people without being repelled by the thought that they are Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, animists or some other kind of “infidel.”
Faisal bin Muammar is the secretary-general of the King Abdul Aziz National Dialogue Center. While addressing the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group at the Jeddah Conference Palace, he said of this first UN General Assembly special session for the Interfaith Dialogue: “This is an international achievement for Saudi Arabia and for those who work for promoting dialogue between various religious faiths and ideologies.”
Call for religious tolerance
King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has been calling on Muslims to exercise religious tolerance, telling them that attending dialogue for peace and harmony such as those organized by his Interfaith Dialogue Initiative is the duty of every human being.
The King has also been urging fellow Muslims to reach out to non-Muslims as a way to show that Islam is not a violent religion. That is what he has been doing and his attendance of the UN General Assembly special dialogue will once more show that he wishes to give an example by deeds.
He also said that this UN dialogue “comes at a time when the world is criticizing Islam.” He added, “It is regrettable that some of our sons have been tempted by Satan or brothers of Satan,” obviously referring to Islamist militants who have carried out terrorist attacks against nonMuslims around the world.
“Nothing can purify [Islam’s reputation],” said King Abdullah, “except for the extension of Muslims’ hands to their brothers in other religions.”
King Abdullah has not just taken a leading role in bringing adherents of different sects and religions together. He has also in the past few years taken steps to encourage dialogue between his kingdom’s Sunni majority and Shiite minority.
Among the world leaders attending the UN General Assembly meeting today and tomorrow (November 12 to 13) is Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari. Troubled by violent Islamists and parts of it said to be held by allies giving comfort and shelter to Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda officers, Pakistan formally supports efforts to promote global peace and harmony among people of diverse faith and culture.
Pakistan, a Muslim majority country, has expressed its full support for the Saudi king’s initiative “for inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue to promote peace, understanding, and tolerance” among human beings and respect for their diverse religious, cultural and linguistic identities.
Perhaps President Zardari, whose aide have announced that he would also hold bilateral meetings with heads of states attending the session, will have a meeting with our president. Pakistan and the Philippines have many reasons to be closer in trade and diplomacy than they are now.
First Catholic-Muslim Forum
One of the offshoots of the Saudi initiative is last week’s first-ever Catholic-Muslim Forum sponsored by the Vatican.
Participants in that forum were received in audience by Pope Benedict XVI, who told them “Catholics and Muslims must show the common belief that we are members of one family loved by God our Creator, and uphold the dignity of every human person.”
The forum was attended by 29 members of each creed. It was organized by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and representatives of the 138 Muslim leaders who sent an open letter to Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders in October 2007.
The Pope assured the participants of his prayerful attention to the progress of the seminar. He expressed the awareness “that it represents one more step along the way towards greater understanding between Muslims and Christians within the framework of other regular encounters which the Holy See promotes with various Muslim groups.”
Benedict XVI acknowledged the recent increase in dialogue, initiatives and meetings between Catholic and Muslim groups, and expressed the hope that the First Catholic-Muslim Forum would motivate all involved to pass on its positive reflections on love to all people in order to effectively change their daily lives.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/nov/12/yehey/opinion/20081112opi1.html
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Hindu-Christian Interfaith Dialogue :
A Few Glimpses
Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya
I have great pleasure in extending a warm and hearty welcome to His Grace Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, President, Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, Vatican; His Eminence Cardinal Ivan Dias, Archbishop of Mumbai; H. E. Cardinal Simon Pimenta and Msgr. Felix Machado, Under Secretary, Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, Vatican and all other dignitaries on the dais.
India is the birthplace of many faiths and has accommodated and nourished multiple religions. She has provided a common roof to major world religions for their sustenance and growth. The intricate mosaic of diverse faiths, beliefs, traditions and languages in India is indeed amazing.
India cherishes the values of non-violence, detachment, frugal living, non-covetousness, love and compassion to all living beings. Veneration of elders, hospitality, simplicity and peaceful coexistence are some of the commendable features of Indian Culture.
The plurality of faiths in India has made her receptive towards all religions. By and large Indians are not only religious by their nature but they also freely partake of the practices of all religions and thus manifest in their daily lives, unity in diversity.
The religions have to undergo change in changing times. Sir Arthur Keith says, “No creed is final. Such a creed as mine must grow and change”. One may argue that religion is God-made phenomenon and hence man cannot and should not interfere with it; rather he has to make an attempt to fit in its design. However one cannot deny the reforms that take place from time to time in religions in order to respond to the changing world. If a religion remains static it would lose its relevance for the life of mankind.
If we peep into the past we find that people had not only suspicion but also contempt and hatred for other religions. Pride in one’s own religion and prejudice against others’ religions resulted in frequent occurrences of persecution, crusades, jihads and inquisitions. History has witnessed horrible bloodshed in the name of and for the sake of religion over the ages.
As the inhabitants of the world came closer due to rapid progress in science and technology, people became more appreciative and sympathetic towards others. Gradually people came to know that one has to admit and accept coexistence of religions. Existence of one’s own religion alone is not the reality in the true sense; the co-existence of multiple religions is the reality.
People are now thinking of religious freedom, they showed willingness to mix with the people from religious traditions different from their own; they made attempts to listen to others’ religions, to read about others’ religions and deepen their knowledge and to identify and strengthen the similarities, the differences being treated as specific to that religion and accepted as such.
The above interaction amongst religions paved way to adoption and assimilation of the good aspects of other faiths. Thus Vivekananda emphasized the service aspect of religion and made Hinduism more practical through his novel interpretation of Vedánta. Buddhism shifted its emphasis from the ideal of individual Nirváïa to emancipation of the whole of the mankind in its journey from Theraváda to Maháyána.
With the onset of the 3rd Millennium of the Christian Era, the world is becoming a “Global Village”. Rigid barriers of different practices are disappearing, and I do feel that the world is ready for the birth of a “UNIVERSAL RELIGION”. Indian Ùástras had proclaimed, bhavatu viùvameka nèãam/ Let the world be a single nest because all religions are meant to lead us to the Ultimate Reality. This Ultimate Reality may be pursued differently by different people. The Vedic seers said, ekam sat vipráç bahudhá vadanti / “Truth is one, the wise speak about it in different ways”. The pioneers and visionaries of different faiths want to break out of the narrow bonds of religions or sects. Each individual should have freedom to practice his own faith as a matter of choice. Further an individual should not be compelled to be tied down to only one faith and should be free to adopt the practice of various religions of his choice depending on his temperament, attitude and perception. This would create a climate in which all of us can live in peace and harmony.
The first Christian ascetics in Syria borrowed many religious practices from Indian monasticism, especially of the wandering and mendicant monks. Their stress on personal prayer and the ‘taste of God’ experienced in the depth of heart shows Indian influence. The Second Vatican Council inspired contact, dialogue and cooperation with the followers of other religions.
It is extremely heartening to note that Vatican created a special Department “Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue”. On this occasion I pay my humble tribute to His Holiness, the Pope for having inspired the entire process. This Conference being inaugurated now is a sterling example of Interfaith Dialogue initiated by this Pontifical Council. This process has aroused an intense interest to understand each others’ view points with great reverence and has been a very satisfying and enriching experience.
My personal experience of Hindu-Christian Dialogue is encouraging. The Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham has successfully organized five interfaith dialogues, namely, International Seminar on ‘Hindu Christian Cosmology and Anthropology’ wherein Ùáñkara Advaita was discussed in depth. This was in collaboration with the Institute for Asian Studies, University of Turin, Italy and the Inter religious Monastic Dialogue, Italy in October 1997; it was followed by International seminar on ‘Persons of Peace in a Troubled World’ in collaboration with the Institute for Asian Studies, University of Turin, and DIM, Italy, at Parma-Rome (Italy) in October 1998; International Seminar on ‘Religious and Ethical Foundations of Family and Social Life in Hinduism and Christianity’ in February-March 2000; International Seminar on ‘Mahávákyas in Hinduism and Christianity’ in February 2001; Interfaith Dialogue Symposium on ‘Bhakti in Hinduism & Christianity’ in collaboration with Focolare Movement at Castel Gandolfo, Rocca Di Papa, Rome in June 2002. Every seminar is a step ahead in the field of Dialogue. The present seminar is on ‘Meditation’. The next Conference is proposed to be held in April 2004 in Italy.
The new climate of interfaith dialogue has opened the door for a non-confrontational discussion of practice of neighbours’ religions. Thus the clouds of suspicion and apprehension are getting dispelled and fresh breeze of open-minded reception to other faiths flow.
Meditation is a search for the Ultimate Reality. It is a “search within”. Meditation is experience beyond everything and it transcends religious barriers. It is a pathway to God realization. There is no difference of mine or thine, of caste or creed in this divine experience. Hence it is a meeting point for all of us, and proves to be an ideal theme for dialogue.
In Hinduism meditation is an unbroken flow of thought directed to one single object. Several texts such as Pátaòjala Yogasütra, Yogavásiúûha throw light on meditation.
Concentration (Dháraïá) is defined as holding the mind on to some particular object. When the mind is able to remain in the state of concentration for some time, that state is called meditation (Dhyána). Meditation is defined as the unbroken flow of thought. It is compared to the pouring of oil from one vessel to another. The flow of oil is steady and unbroken.
The difference between concentration and meditation is that in concentration the mind is also touched by other ideas about the object of concentration while in meditation there is only one single idea.
The Yájòavalkya Smøti states that there are two types of concentration- concentration on Reality with attributes (Saguïa) and concentration on Reality without attributes (Nirguïa).
The Yoga texts describe various objects of meditation. These objects may be external objects such as a flame, an idol or Om, the sound symbol of Supreme Reality. Alternatively, the objects of meditation may be internal objects. There are seven centres of consciousness within the body and the aspirant can concentrate his mind on these centres. The aspirant is free to choose any object for concentration. He has to visualise the form either within the body in the spiritual centres or outside the body.
Om is considered as the most powerful and sacred symbol that can be chosen for concentration. The Máïãükya Upaniúad contains a detailed exposition of Om. Om has three sounds – A, U and M representing the waking, the dream and the deep sleep state respectively. The silence that follows after utterance of the word Om represents the fourth state (Turèya), the state of pure consciousness. Meditation on Om enables an aspirant to elevate himself from the mundane to the transcendental.
In Christianity meditation is not just concentrating one’s own thought on Lord, work is also a form of meditation. The Desert Fathers first took up work as an aid to prayer. During the long hours of solitary meditation work, such, as plaiting baskets or making rope was undertaken in order to avoid distraction; it was like an ‘anchor for thoughts’. In due course the Desert Fathers thought that if they divide their time between vocal prayers and work, the alternation would make the concentration on God easier. Everything in the monastery produces the ambience conducive to prayer, such as the isolation of the monastery itself, the work by which the monks support themselves, the reading and learning all have their function to make the monastery a sanctuary where God is ‘seen’ in the darkness and stillness of contemplation (Thomas Merton, The Silent Life, p. 33-34).
In ancient times the Vedic Øúis practiced meditation in the solitude of lofty mountains and deep forests. The Christian monks also practiced meditation in solitude of deserts and forests. However, it is in the midst of hustle and bustle of daily life that the modern man has to learn to meditate. Meditation constitutes a link between man and God. Whatever place one may meditate, God only responds in the deep silence of inner-most depths of the heart.
We in Somaiya Vidyavihar are trying to provide a Value Based Education to about 25,000 students. We believe, that peace, understanding and harmony among different faiths is an important component of value system. We, therefore, consider it appropriate that we play host to the International Symposium for Hindu-Christian Interfaith Dialogue.
Before I conclude, I would like to express my gratitude to His Grace Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, President, Pontifical Council for Interfaith Dialogue, Vatican, Italy; His Eminence Ivan Cardinal Dias, Archbishop of Mumbai and H. E. Simon Cardinal Pimenta for having graced the inaugural function.
Thank you,
http://www.somaiya.edu/third(Interfaith).htm
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Young Muslims more open to interfaith dialogue says Vatican
Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Catholic Church's interfaith council says a new spirit of openness among younger Muslims is improving the "climate" of interreligious dialogueBess Twiston Davies
Younger Muslims are radically altering the "climate" of interfaith dialogue, the head of the Vatican's Council for interreligious dialogue has said.
"There is a change of climate [in interreligious dialogue] now" said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue said on Wednesday: "It is more open minded, there is greater cordiality. Many young Muslims in Eygpt, Lebanon, Syria, or Qatar have learned in local Catholic schools, where we welcome Muslim students. They all say the same thing: “We have been in your schools for years but you have never proselytised.”’ The young generation realise we can’t be against each other. Believers of all religions have greater responsibility towards the human family."
During a brief visit to Britain this week, Cardinal Tauran met the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams and several Anglican bishops to discuss the challenge of terrorism motivated by religious fundamentalism. "Schools and universities are the answer" he said, adding that Muslim leaders had "great responsibility" to "shape" the minds of young believers.
The Cardinal's comments follow the creation by Pope Benedict XVI last March of a permanent Muslim-Catholic forum. It was set up after 138 Muslim scholars wrote an "open letter" to the Pope and other Christian leaders last year. Written in the wake of Muslim criticism of Benedict XVI for a 2006 speech during which he quoted a Byzantine Emperor who had spoken of the Prophet Muhammad's "command to spread by the sword the faith", the letter stated that the future of the world depended on peace between Muslims and Christians.
The 29 page document appealed for members of both faiths to find common ground, quoting both the Bible and the Qu’ran. Cardinal Tauran said: “What is new is that this letter is an initiative from the Muslim side, until now the initiatives have come from Christians. The Church has been in dialogue with Islam for more than 30 years, following the publication of Nostra Aetate (the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions) the Church’s teaching document from Vatican II which states that the Catholic Church rejects “nothing of what is Holy and True” in other religions.”
Catholic-Muslim dialogue is “an exchange of spiritual gifts, " he said. “Benedict XVI has made it clear in his speeches that interreligious dialogue is not an option but a vital necessity.” Last year, Cardinal Tauran was criticised after appearing to suggest, in an interview with the French Catholic newspaper La Croix, that theological dialogue with Islam was impossible "at the moment". The Muslim-Catholic forum will hold its first meeting this November in Rome. No Saudi or Iranian Muslim scholars are thought to be attending the November conference.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4023109.ece
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