Clerics give tough answer to Islamic extremism

Dhaka , Bangladesh, May 06 — Bangladesh presents a threat to the security of the region, due to growing Islamic militancy. The country has experienced bomb attacks on 63 out of 64 districts. The Catholic Church in Bangladesh has experienced bomb attacks in Baniarchar in the past, mainly targeting priests. In such situations, the endeavor of Christian priests to sit together with Muslim imams is really a model before the nation to beat the communalism and Islamic militancy and to bring forth the message of love. In a country like Bangladesh, where Christians observe Easter and Christmas under police security for fear of Islamic militants, dialogue with imams shows the deep, patient love of neighbors of the Christian priests.

On April 29, greetings of “asalaam alaikum” and “good morning” broke the silence in a room of full of Christian pastors and Muslim imams at Dhaka University. A large number of Christian pastors and Muslim imams were present, including Vatican Ambassador H.E. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Marino, Archbishop of Dhaka H.E. Most Rev. Paulinus Costa, Italian Ambassador to Dhaka H.E. Dr. Itala Occhi, and H.E Retired Bishop Linus Nirmal Gomes.

The conference, whose topic was “Imams and pastors dialogue on unity in diversity”, was organized by the Department of World Religions of Dhaka University, the Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue, and the Center for Religious and Intercultural Dialogue. Thirty Christian pastors, 30 Muslim imams and other related experts attended, for a total of 80 individuals in attendance.

When Pope Benedict XVI received the bishops of Bangladesh for their Ad Limina Apostolorum, he urged the prelates to “persevere with patient dedication” on the path of interfaith dialogue, which is an “essential component of the Church’s mission.”

The Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, Rev. Msgr. Joseph Marino, said, “Today’s dialogue is a new beginning toward justice and peace and the common good, and it can be a model before the nations.”

Archbishop of Dhaka, Msgr. Paulinus Costa, said, “We are called to be instruments of peace.”

The founder of the Department of World Religions, Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam, said there are lots of Christians who don’t know that Mother Mary was clearly titled as the greatest women in the world by the holy Quran and that Christ also has a very high position in the holy Quran. To answer many similar questions of Muslims and Christians, we need interreligious dialogue.

Costa also added that, although Bangladesh is a small country, Bangladesh can be model before the nations to establish peace in the midst of violence by practicing interreligious dialogue.

Eva Sadia Sad, the chairperson of Department of World Religions of Dhaka University, said that while communal violence is spreading all over the world, interreligious dialogue can bring a better solution.

The chief imam of Dhaka University’s central mosque, Maulana Khalilur Rahman, said “Christians are the best friend of Muslims,” quoting the holy Quran.

Italian Ambassador to Dhaka H.E. Dr. Itala Occhi said in her speech that “Interreligious dialogue could become an ongoing process of dialogue that could benefit the intercultural harmony of the country.”

She told the audience not to forget that, in any country, the urgency that comes from problems in society is conducive for people to consider adopting policies that can discipline society in different and hopefully more suitable ways.

Occhi also said to the religious leaders, “You are in a position to proclaim vis-a-vis your communities that they are instrumental in making the society more mature and in promoting full respect for human dignity, equality, and social inclusion, as well as in reducing the potential for antagonism and favouring a peaceful resolution of conflicts. Nevertheless, you are in the position to pick up the profound aspects of society and that is also a precious part of your mission.”

She shared that interfaith dialogue has become a global issue. It is an accepted fact that international organizations give value and impulse, through guidelines approved in their forums, to initiatives that can be translated into policies and orientations in various respective countries.

Occhi pointed out that there is a U.N. resolution declaring 2010 the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and recommends that, during the course of the year, appropriate events be organized dealing with interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

The regional superior of PIME missionaries also added during the conference, “If Muslims and Christians are not at peace, the world cannot be at peace.”