Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Doha (Agenzia Fides) - Some 300 people have gathered in Doha, Qatar, for the 2nd International Conference on Christian/Muslim Dialogue organised by the commission for relations with Muslims of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in cooperation with Qatar University. The three day conference opened on 27 May and will conclude on Saturday 29 May. Among those present Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran Holy See Librarian and Archivist, formerly Vatican Secretary for relations with States (foreign minister); Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Grand Imam of Azhar Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi and the Patriarch of the Egyptian Copt Church Shenouda III. The participants voiced their commitment to rediscover “common roots of both faiths” and to continue dialogue despite the present situation of tension and violence in the Middle East.
In his address Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran said he carried to the participants the greetings of Pope John Paul II and he stressed the importance of religious freedom, the central theme of the conference, an event he described as “an eloquent testimony of brotherhood. The noise of war resounding not far from here, he said, will not prevent us from reflecting on our responsibility as believers to send a message of friendship to all who are ready to accept it.”
Recalling that the Conference focussed on “dialogue among believers of two different religions ” he said that, “to avoid any syncretism or caricature, each side must remain loyal to its own beliefs”. “The Catholic Church looks with respect” on the followers of Islam , he reminded those present and it is aware of “the riches of Muslim spiritual traditions. We Christians are also proud of our religious tradition ” the Cardinal told those present.
“This is why freedom of belief and religion is necessary and absolutely fundamental”, he added. “Freedom of religion respects God and man. It is absolute and reciprocal. It extends beyond the individual to the community and has a civil and social dimension”. Adding that “understood and lived in this way religious freedom can be a valuable factor for building peace”.
The Cardinal concluded by encouraging those present “to promote dialogue of trust among civil authorities and religious communities in order to establish and solidly guarantee the rights and duties of individual believers and believing communities, with particular concern for the principle of reciprocity”. “Each one of us gathered here in Doha - he concluded -can and indeed should do his or her part to help the world take the path of brotherhood and peace!”.
The words of the Cardinal were echoed by Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Tantawi, a leading Muslim authority who said: “Religious freedom is a fundamental principle of Islamic law. Hatred and violence develop where people are denied freedom to express their faith”.
A concrete gesture of opening towards Christians in the region of the Persia Gulf was the donation of 500 sq. meters of land by Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani to the local Catholic Copt, Orthodox and Protestant communities on which to build churches.
''A generous gesture which will enable us to build a church”, said Archbishop Giovanni Bernardo Gremoli, Vicar Apostolic for the Arabian Peninsula.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/5/2004 lines 54 words 543)
