‘Conflict is of interests, not of religion’
It is often assumed that inter-religious dialogue is a product of sectarian conflicts which are afflicting the world. But as a group of scholars described it at a meeting on Friday, such talks are as old as religion.
It is often assumed that inter-religious dialogue is a product of sectarian conflicts which are afflicting the world. But as a group of scholars described it at a meeting on Friday, such talks are as old as religion.
The first such meeting took place between Jews and Zoroastrians in Mesopotamia in fifth century BC, said Dr Homi Dhalla, president of the Foundation for Unity of Religions and Enlightenment of Citizenship, a group set up former president APJ Abdul Kalam.
Emphasising the importance of inter-religious dialogue, Dr Dhalla said that the 10-year old conflict in Mozambique was put to an end after religious leaders in the country sat for a meeting. Similarly, a group working for the resolution of inter-religious conflict, the New York-based World Council of Religions for Peace also played a role in ending the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
“Now, Christian-Muslim dialogue is taking place in Turkey, Tunisia, Qatar, Bangladesh and Philippines,” he said, adding that an important requirement for successful talks between religious groups was the jettisoning of pre-conceived notions about other religions. Islamic scholar Dr Engineer described the astonishing similarities between Hindu and Muslim scriptures.
“Few people know the similarities between the Gayatri Mantra and the Sur-e-fateha, the first chapter of the Koran. Mohammad Iqbal (the poet) translated the Gayatri Mantra into Urdu to show the similarities. After all, we believe in one god. But because there are different languages in which the word ‘god’ is expressed, other religions feel alien,” he said.
He said that religious scholar Dara Shukoh learned Sanskrit in Benaras, and showed that the only difference between Hinduism and Islam was the languages the scriptures were written in and not substance. “Satyam, Shivam and Sundaram — the names for god has an equivalent in the different names for Allah — Haqq (truth), Jabbar (powerful) and Jaleel (Sublime),” he said.
“Two religions never collide; it is our interests that clash. We use religion for our interest.” Dr Narendra Desai, trustee of International Society for Krishna Conciousness (ISKCON) said that the main reason for religious conflicts was egoism and greed.
Most speakers talked about the role played by Sufis in bringing peace between religions. Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi was spoken of as the best example.