Religious Leaders Call for Interfaith Dialogue for Peace

Leaders of different faiths in Interfaith Coaltion for Peace the nations most representative multi-religious coalition, today called for dialogue. Dr. Zafar Mahmood, President of Interfaith Coalition for Peace, said, “Multi-religious cooperation is a key to building peace in India and around the world. The tragedy is that political initiatives have often closed the door to the positive role that multi-religious cooperation can play in building peace. Religious Leaders are opening that door.”

Peace is essential for a better way of life — peace of mind, peace in the family and peace in nature. Today, in our modern, technological world, Man apparently has access to everything he desires. In the absence of peace, however, everything has been rendered meaningless. What we need to redress the balance is love, compassion, tolerance, forbearance and the spirit of co-existence. The Interfaith Coalition for Peace (ICP) organized a dialogue between the Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, President, CPS and Dr. David W. Shenk a renowned Christian scholar, on the topic, 'Perspectives towards Peacemaking' on October 04, 2008 at the YMCA Auditorium, Nizamuddin East, New Delhi at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood, President ICP, chaired the dialogue.

Interfaith cooperation is now a necessity-extremism poses a very serious threat to all our societies. All faiths need to resist those attempting to drive a wedge between them. We all need to come together and renounce those who advocate doctrines of intolerance and violence. This event helped to empower the moderates and underpin the key role of faith and community leaders in bridging differences and building harmony in the region. The Interfaith Dialogue did provide a platform for them to give important messages to their communities on mutual understanding, tolerance and peaceful co-existence. By promoting understanding and learning from each other's experiences, this gathering also fosters a common regional resolve to meet challenges such as terrorism and to work together to further social and economic development.

The Interfaith Coalition for Peace and the Center for Peace and Spirituality hope that the Interfaith Dialogue will be the beginning of a process of more direct and frequent communication between the regional faith leaders in solving problems and building a more harmonious and peaceful future for the region.