Madrid Dialogue Conference: How Can Interfaith Dialogue Make Any Progress?
Almost 300 invitees from different faith groups convened in Madrid to advance interfaith dialogue. The final statement, the Madrid Declaration, highlighted the importance of dialogue in achieving mutual understanding, cooperation among the adherents of religions and cultures, peaceful coexistence among nations and the rejection of extremism and terrorism. They came up with a broad list of principles that they agreed on and adopted recommendations to which no one can object.
The conference had admirers and detractors. On behalf of knowledge, learning and humanity, we appreciate such educational, cultural and peace-seeking efforts. Yet what was declared in Madrid is nothing new. It has all been said by many and done by few before. The real question then should be how the recommendations expressed can lead to commitment and action. Can any initiative which is not internalized and practiced by the grass roots, by the ordinary believers of faith communities, lift off and contribute to local and global wellbeing? We know that past efforts at dialogue on the part of political entities, governments and organizations have often not taken root as expected. When governments and politicians change, support and attitudes toward these actions also change in tune with new policies, priorities or conjunctures. The global ethics initiative, for example, financed by the World Bank, drew sharp criticism, was received with cynicism and skepticism and is no longer pursued by all or discussed except as an intellectual pursuit. But dialogue cannot be a short-term project. Sharing panels and conference halls is short term, but true dialogue takes a great amount of time, sacrifice, empathy, compassion and dedication.
Some faith leaders and believers have worked quietly over the past two decades to achieve true dialogue, arguing that it is the best way for people to move beyond stereotypes, develop mutual respect and combat the exploitation of religion in the name of political, ideological, financial and racial interests. Many faithful volunteers and civic organizations have dedicated themselves to finding common grounds and shared values. I cannot talk on all their behalves. However, I can share my experience in one interfaith dialogue organization which has developed and been joined by many leaders, academics and volunteers from diverse faith communities over the past six years, the Institute of Interfaith Dialog.
The institute, like many decentralized interfaith institutions, is run by volunteers from local Turkish communities in the US. It was inspired by the peaceful teachings and the example of the scholar, intellectual and dialogue activist Fethullah Gülen. The institute, with all its branches, listens and responds with openness and respect and advocates ways that acknowledge genuine differences but aim to build on shared hopes and values, particularly among the grass roots of diverse communities. By being in constant interaction with other people from different traditions than their own, the institute's volunteers prepare the venues and opportunities in which the basic feelings, thoughts, aspirations and spirituality of all individuals can be heard in a space that is free of dogmatism and criticism. In contrast to the Madrid conference, which is closed to the press and the grass roots, the institute's activities and events are open and free to all.
Apart from its academic workshops and conferences, the most effective events are the interfaith meals, especially the breakfasts and dinners organized by individual families at their homes for the families from other faith communities, most of whom have never met each other before. I know many families that have given several dinners to groups of three or four families in their homes, sharing their traditional homemade dishes. What they do is in the Abrahamic tradition, sharing food with "strangers." These table fellowships have produced such deep friendships between people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and faiths that many people have reciprocated in the same way and are encouraging many others to do so, too.
They thus share the message that we are all worshippers of the same almighty creator and that we are indeed no different from one another in hopes, values and aspirations for our own families, communities and humanity. With such inter-family gatherings, the volunteers demonstrate to society the idea that people can live together regardless of group, faith or indelible differences. Rather than the professionalized approach of the special guests of the Madrid conference, the grass roots have embarked on discovering the great deal there is to learn from one another so as to coexist in respect, peace and harmony, and are already profiting from good examples, like the volunteers of the institute.
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