INTER-RELIGIOUS COEXISTENCE
DESPITE DIFFERENCES

If the common ground for agreement between two or more parties cannot be arrived at on an ideological basis, practical coexistence must be adopted.

Religious differences have always existed between people. That is why inter-religious dialogue has been found, in one form or the other, since ancient times. For example, some 1400 years ago, the Prophet of Islam held a multi-religious get-together in a mosque in Madinah to exchange views on religious issues. Such attempts have repeatedly been made in history. The circumstances that unfolded following World War II led the Catholic Church, in particular, to pay great attention to this issue. Through its continuous efforts, dialogues of this nature are regularly held in various countries, including between Muslims and Christians.

The first and foremost principle for any meaningful inter-religious dialogue is finding a mutual basis for peaceful co-existence. Finding common ground in secular matters is comparatively easy, for perhaps nothing is held as absolutely sacred in secularism. However, in contrast, many things are considered sacred in religion, which is why it sometimes becomes difficult to find a basis for agreement in religious matters. However, despite all difficulties, we must continue our peaceful efforts in this direction. The Quran points to common ground in the form of worship of the One God: “Say, ‘People of the Book, let us come to a word common to us that we shall worship none but God and that we shall associate no partner with Him and that none of us shall take others, besides God, for lords.’” (3:64)

A second principle for inter-religious dialogue is purely a matter of pragmatism. Nevertheless, some matters should be settled on practical grounds. One of these is accepting religious diversity as a fact of life. Guidance for this is provided in the following verse of the Quran: “You have your religion, and I have mine.” (109:6)

This Quranic verse reflects the principle of religious co-existence, ‘follow one and respect all.’ If common grounds for agreement between two or more parties cannot be arrived at on an ideological basis, then practical coexistence must be adopted.