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TRIPOLI, November 25 (WICS) - It started some 28
years ago when Tripoli hosted the Conference of Islamic-Christian
dialogue. It was held in 1976, attended by some 200 researchers,
thinkers and others interested in inter-faith dialogue.
But in 2003, the new push came with
"Lita`arafu" (To Know One Another) conference, organized
by the World Islamic Call Society (WICS). Many considered it a
positive transfer that took inter-faith dialogue from its
traditional form into new horizons of getting to know one another.
Lita`arafu is a positive interaction process, based
on a deeper degree of understanding of each party, knowing the other
on his/her own terms, leading to joint work to defend human ideals
and preserve the values of different religions that call upon peace,
justice and equality.
In the period from the 1976 conference and 2003
meeting, the WICS has organized dialogue gatherings on several
levels. It was only natural – from geography and history
perspectives – for the Vatican and its Papal Council for
Inter-face dialogue to be the main partner in the WICS's gatherings
of dialogue.
Forums and workshops were held on "Religion and
Media", "Religion's Stand on Refugees and Evacuees"
and "Ethics of Call and Mission Works".
During the period of 2000-2004, the two sides have
organized two forums. The first was in Tripoli on "Culture of
Dialogue in the Era of Globalization" in 2002. It was preceded
by a preparatory meeting by the Muslim side in Marrakech, Morocco,
in the same year.
The second meeting between the two sides took place
in Rome in 2004, under the title "Role of Imams and Priests in
Society".
Both meetings were attended by scholars and thinkers
interested in the issues related to inter-faith dialogue.
Lita`arafu Gathering
Lita'arafu Conference was held in September, 2003,
in light of unstable international circumstances. The WICS organized
it out of its deep-rooted belief that dialogue is the civilized way
to understand the other as the other is, not as you want it to be.
The gathering was the biggest in terms of
participation and the most effective after the Islamic Dialogue
Conference of 1976.
The conference presented a comprehensive vision of
the term, through a number of papers, studies, deliberations and
open discussions that added to the meanings of the term, explaining
its foundations and revealing its depth. It is considered as a
concept beyond mere "dialogue".
It is an interactive positive process among
different peoples and nations that eventually aims at accepting the
existence of the Other as the Other is, respecting his/her privacies
and realizing that such difference is a reality imposed by Divine
wisdom.
Geographic, Religious Representation
Lita'arafu witnessed a wide Christian
representation, both on the geographic and sectarian levels,
extending from Philippines to East America, and from Central Asia to
Southern Africa.
Most of sects, currents, creeds and Christian
churches were represented in the gathering. The majority of
participant Christian personalities occupied leading church posts.
Their discussions of the meanings of the term "Lita`arafu"
were characterized by realizing the human meanings it carries, chief
among them are cooperation, love and accepting the other, within the
context of respect to the Other's religious, social and national
privacies.
Islamic participation also covered wider geographic
areas and included scholars and thinkers who attended on their
personal positions, officials of Islamic organizations and bodies,
in addition to a number of journalists, media persons and writers
interested in the issues of dialogue.
The gathering was distinguished by the attendance of
officials from Christian and Islamic sides, in addition to a big
number of related international organizations.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (ISESCO, affiliated to the Organization of Islamic
Conference), Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Sciences,
the OIC, Higher Commission for Refugee Affairs (UNHCR),
International Churches Council, Franconia Organization, Al-Azhar and
Higher Council for Islamic Affairs in Egypt and International
Academy for Intra-Faith Rapprochement, all took part in the
gathering.
Timing of Lita'rafu
The conference was convened at a time when Islam, as
a religion and a creed, was under severe attacks of being violent,
justifies Islam, does not recognize the Other, suppresses women and
minorities.
Therefore, the conference – through the wide
public and official participation – has sent a clear message to
the whole world, emphasizing that (Lita`arafu) as a Qura'nic term
carries all meanings of respect for the other, calls for cooperation
to achieve the good of mankind. It also rejected, through reason and
logic, all accusations of extremism, terror and fanaticism labeled
at Islam.
The message was drafted and agreed upon by both
Christians and Muslims, was clearly represented in the "Tripoli
Call for Recognition", in both its participating sides,
principles, decisions and recommendations.
The recommendations of Lita`arafu, in addition to
the suggestions and proposals, are to work as a base for a larger
platform putting together all participants of the forums emanating
and held upon Lita`arafu recommendations. |
