Scriptures the key to interfaith understanding
Published Date: May 25, 2010
By Uday Immanual Halder, Khulna

The scriptures of Christians and Muslims contain the keys to interfaith harmony, said speakers at an interreligious seminar in Khulna diocese.

“Forgiveness, love, charity, faith and devotion to the creator are common basic principles in the Bible and Qur’an. These inspire us to live in harmony and peace,” said Holy Cross Auxiliary Bishop Theotonious Gomes of Dhaka.

The bishop was a keynote speaker at a May 22 interfaith program held at Caritas Khulna.

The Center for Mass Media Studies and Interreligious Dialogue organized the event, attended by 39 Christians, 32 Muslims and four Hindus.

“Establishing justice is one of the main principles in our holy scriptures,” said Muslim cleric, Mufti Maolana Abdur Razzak, another keynote speaker.

“We can work together for the welfare of the country and the nation,” said Razzak, associate principal of Khulna Alia Madrasa (Religious Study Center).

One participant, Julio Biswas, 30, a Catholic, noted that “Christians never face any kind of embargo or restrictions while living in this Muslim majority country. We are free to hold rallies on the streets, prayer meeting in different places.”

However, sometimes local tensions, stoked by religious fundamentalists, emerge as a result of conflicts between Muslims and Christians in other parts of the world, he said.

Umme Kulsum, 32, a Muslim participant, concurred.

“Muslims and Christians have a very good relationship in Bangladesh,” she said. “Except for some extremists, all other people believe in religious harmony and tolerance.”

The seminar is a continuation of Muslim-Catholic dialogue started at the Vatican a few years ago after Pope Benedict XVI’s comments on Islam during a visit to Germany sparked controversy.

www.ucanews.com/2010/05/25/scriptures-the-key-to-interfaith-understanding/