Is Dialogue in Vain?
The cartoon provocation that originated in Denmark has paved the way for an international crisis. What does this crisis mean for the dialogue efforts accelerated among civilizations (cultures or religions) over the past decade? Taking into account the escalated confidence crisis between the Christian and Muslim world, should we say "the dialogue was in vain?"
On the contrary, all these incidents emphasize once more the importance of dialogue among the followers of different religions, cultures and beliefs. In fact, the joint statement issued by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, said, "These events make the need for renewed dialogue more urgent."
The cartoon crisis revealed that the road to dialogue is difficult and demanding and we should not be too hasty over this issue. It has been understood that efforts of "the Movement of Volunteers," aimed at educating others about ourselves and our values through educational institutions, culture and dialogue centers worldwide, should not be relaxed. Strengthening our efforts in terms of agreeing on universal values and forming islands of peace have become more important than thought. It seems those aiming for a "clash of civilizations" had a plan. Apparently, the masses on both sides are easily deceived by the tricks being played. It turned out that this trick is being played by cast directed by the same people.
This trick can only be ruined if those sincere in their dialogue efforts hurry up. We are happy on behalf of our nation because we have 500 schools in 90 countries. Now we wish we had 2,000 schools in many more countries around the world.
I had listened to Fethullah Gülen's afternoon conversation on December 23, 2005. He was talking about haste. "Services would not tolerate haste," he said. "This issue sometimes lasts for a few generations." The formation of an alliance of the new humanity cannot happen at once, what you are doing is giving them faith, making them soldiers of reality, making them altruistic people. In other words, you are dealing with matters related to the heart. You are demanding such a thing, then this issue wouldn't simply tolerate haste." Then he underlined the following points:
"Haste is needed to accomplish the task not to obtain the result. What you have to do is to talk about Allah, glorify His name, look for His satisfaction. That is what Allah takes into account and that is how 80 percent of the people start to believe in God. This is not our job. We should hurry up to fulfill our task. This is valid for the issue of dialogue, too. We must interact with the world more rapidly. We must act quickly. Once upon a time, there were people who used dialogue for their own aims, there are still such people. However, there are now sincere dialogue supporters as well. Acting slowly in opening schools and on the issue of dialogue would mean disloyalty. They love you when they meet you. They ask, 'Where have you been, why have you come so late? There are some who say in tears, 'If we had known you before, my father, too, would have learned about Allah, Prophet Mohammed and the Qur'an.' It is easy to call someone an infidel but it is hard to fulfill the task..." Our experiences a month and a half after these words were uttered show in the clearest manner that the importance of dialogue and the necessity for haste on this issue.
Let us disregard those exploiting dialogue, those trying to dynamite the only way out for humanity with provocations and tricks. "Your sensitivity in not hurting others also prevents you from being hurt," Mr. Gülen says. Even if some Western representatives turn their backs on the values they themselves shaped, let us do what is proper for us and continue our way.
ZAMAN
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