Opinion | Editorials
Seek common ground first
Opening of the inter-faith conference in Madrid is a good effort to build bridges.
- Gulf News
- Published: 00:05 July 17, 2008
The world stage today is in need of more dialogue for peace than strategies for war. As some groups and organisations continue to resort to extremes in thought and in practice, it is critical that tolerance as a principle is promoted, supported as much as it is advanced.
The opening of the inter-faith international conference in Madrid is one effort that would help to alleviate differences and tensions between various belief systems. Initiated by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and organised under the auspices of the Muslim World League (MWL), the conference is being attended by more than 200 prominent leaders and scholars representing the world's major religions and civilisations. "At this conference, we will aim to focus on a shared world vision far removed from the religious discords and political differences," said Dr Abdullah Al Turki, secretary-general of MWL.
But building bridges between the different faiths will require a lot of work. It would need constant effort and time, as it is a task that is complex and difficult. The best starting point for such an initiative is to find the ground of commonality rather than differences between faiths and beliefs. Most importantly though, is that initiatives continue beyond their starting point.
More from Editorials
More from Opinions
Opinion Editor's choice
-
Russia, China complicit in Syria carnage
By Fawaz Turki, Special to Gulf News
By their double veto at the UN, they have chosen to back the Al Assad regime that is already wet spaghetti
-
Two prime ministers in trouble
By Kuldip Nayar, Special to Gulf News
Gilani faces contempt of court charge while Singh encounters moral responsibility in 2G scam case
-
Moving towards honest democracy
By Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia
Russia needs to unbundle power and property and separate executive power from system of checks over it
Your turn
