Preface

2. Criteria for Dialogue

Gracious nature of our creation leads us to a perpetual quest for grace and beauty, yet unavoidably, we find ourselves surrounded by misfortunes, calamities and disasters. We cannot ignore the fact that in order to achieve peace and harmony, mankind must bring out good that exists in his nature and form strong relations, unity and dialogue with his fellow human beings. One of the main ingredients for this dialogue is tolerance and understanding. A Turkish Poet once resided: "Behold your fellow human being in grace; you are the cream of the universe".

Scenes of weeping widows, destroyed homes, helpless orphans, wars triggered by hostility and hatred displayed by prejudiced individuals, who themselves are fused by evil instigators, is a clear indication of how much we are in need of a universal dialogue and peace. Perpetrators of wars do not come out as the victors over the victims that they have left behind with destruction, because there are no winners in wars. It is obvious that positive and solid foundations could not be laid over an area that is occupied by religious conflict, ideologies based on hatred and racial prejudice. Since man was created as a civilised being, he should act accordingly with the principle, "convincing the civilised is the path to prevalence" and solve his differences by effective communication. This may be the simplest description of dialogue.

We have no doubt in our values. We do not offer anyone to convert in compulsion, neither do we expect anyone to approach us with the same offer. But when the issue is dialogue, Qur'an made the invitation 14 centuries ago by stating: "O my messenger say: O people of the book (Muslims, Christians and Jews, and according to some scholars all civilised people!), come and let's unite under a common word. Let's not abandon God and make lords out of each other".

Today all over the world, platforms are being formed in the name of dialogue between religions. Happiness of our fellow human beings is our preference and we expect our reward from the Lord only in our actions of dialogue. I sincerely believe that as long as we continue our sincerity, there will be flowers of friendship, peace and brotherhood blooming all over the world.

We do not come across people who fight over sharing the sunlight. Because the sun's rays are similar to those of the holy light. There should not be a conflict or jealousy in sharing the holy light. Love, tolerance, dialogue and peace are also part of the holy light, which illuminates our hearts and our path. A person's benefit from these values does not cause an obstacle to another.

In the quest for understanding, one should have certain core principles. I would like to share with you three very important principles I have learnt from my long-time teacher M. Fethullah Gulen, one of the pioneers of interfaith dialogue in the Muslim World. He said:

  • Be so tolerant that your heart becomes wide as the ocean. Become inspired with faith and love for others. Do not leave a troubled hand unattended and a shaken heart without attention.
  • Applaud the good for their goodness, appreciate those who have believing hearts, and be kind to believers. Approach unbelievers so gently that their animosity and hatred melt away. Like a Messiah, revive people with your breath.
  • Return good for evil, and disregard discourteous treatment. An individual's character is reflected in his or her behaviour. Choose tolerance, and be magnanimous toward the ill-mannered.

As the good and beauty are the main ingredients of our human nature, we have no doubt that humanity will eventually reach its true destiny. The unique project initiated by Affinity Intercultural Foundation and St Charles Catholic Church has taken an important step towards the common future.

Mehmet Ali Sengul
(Eminent Muslim Theologian and Educator)
March 2004