The King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence prepared a working paper on Islamic-Christian religious dialogue, on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Permanent Committee of the Muslim-Christian Dialogue between the Muslim Council of Elders and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, said in the working paper that dialogue was indispensable in the world and in people’s lives.
“Humanity is one big family; they need dialogue not division. The Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration is one more step towards unity. We meet in Bahrain to discuss and plan coexistence and peace.”
“When Pope Francis came to Bahrain, he saw how people live in peace and harmony on this land. Bahrain is a model, in the Middle East, that proves that peaceful coexistence is possible, and that dialogue is the basis for building nations. The Pope was very impressed,” he added.
He thanked the King Hamad Center for their great efforts in the Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration, and for giving different religious leaders, who represent various religious communities in Bahrain, the opportunity to engage in dialogue.
Cardinal Miguel affirmed that the Vatican will cooperate with the King Hamad Center to maximise the impact of the Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration, praising the center’s programmes represented by The King Hamad Chair in Inter-Faith Dialogue and Peaceful Co-existence at Sapienza University in Rome.
He commended the center’s initiative to reject hate speech through cyberspace, and the King Hamad Belief in Leadership Program accredited by the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in cooperation with the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence, to support the values of peaceful coexistence and respect for difference.
Father Aldo Berardi, the Vicar Apostolic of the Catholic Church and Member of Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, said that people must develop intellectual and personal relationships with one another.
“We need to create a unique experience with concentration on communication and exchange of point of views,” he added.
He stressed that Bahrain’s peaceful coexistence serves as an example for nations around the globe.
“Despite many conflicts and misunderstandings, Bahrain has proven to be a leading example of peaceful coexistence and a welcoming culture that accepts everyone,” he said.
Monsignor Khaled Akasheh, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, said: “Interreligious dialogue goes beyond words to relationships between people; relationships based on respect, honesty and compassion.”
He said that he saw acceptance, coexistence and harmony in the few days he spent in Bahrain, adding that Bahrain was a message of human fraternity and peaceful living to the world.
Source: Bahrain News Agency