Religions and Peace
We are in Moscow, that is the Russian capital and heart of Eurasia, for two days, to attend an international forum called, "From Terrorism to Universal Ethics: Religions and Peace." The most significant characteristic of the meeting, that was arranged by the Dialogue Eurasia Platform, one of the three platforms of the Journalists and Writers' Foundation, and organized by the Russian Public Relations Association and Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is its enlarging the dialogue ring among religions. Besides Muslim, Christian and Jewish clerics, the participation of Confucian, Buddhist and Hindu religious leaders from India, Indonesia and South Korea attracted attention. While they all took the stage at the opening session, it was really worth seeing Mahsun Kirmizigul (a famous Turkish singer) singing intercultural peace, love and fraternity.
One of the greatest living authors in the Eurasian geography, (Kyrgyz novelist) Cengiz Aytmatov, indicated that life forces us to hold these kind of necessary meetings with this question: "While technology, science, communication and transportation are developing and human beings have discovered space, why does international terrorism still exist?"
The following are certain issues that were underlined during the two-day meeting:
1. All religions preach peace and goodness. Terrorism does not have a religion or nation. Above all, identifying Islam with terrorism is absolutely unacceptable.
2. Nonetheless, clerics should act more bravely on the issue of terrorism. Clerics in the Islamic geography, in particular, should express a clear-cut stance against terrorism and remind Muslims of the clause in the Quran which says, "Anyone who kills another person without a cause is considered to have killed all humanity."
3. Religions have been taken away, together with morality and faith. Morality that befits faith is being targeted. We should make morality regain its lost strength.
4. Dialogue is a sign of civilization nowadays. Everyone should respect "others" the way they are. Clerics, intellectuals and artists, in other words, the civil initiative, with reciprocal confidence and respect, could achieve what the politicians couldn't. Hence, the talking session should end now. The world has become deaf as a result of nice remarks. Since religions want us to oppose evil, then why are religious people still waiting?
5. Since we cannot provide them love, compassion, forgiveness and tolerance, this meeting is dedicated to our children. Egoism, consumption frenzy and lack of spirituality have made justice disappear. Those who suffer due to injustice should develop a common understanding and initiate action. If religion is not beneficial, dialogue cannot be glued down.
6. One of the successful examples of religious tolerance and coexistence in history was the Ottoman administration. Ottomans did not compel anyone by force and did not assimilate (Professor Dimitri Kitsikis, Canada). The Ottomans ruled the holy lands in the Middle East for 400 years. The most successful administrators were the Ottomans. (Rabbi David Rosen, Israel)
Aslanbek Aslahanov, who is one Russian President Vladimir Putin's advisers, also made a speech at the meeting. He reminded us of Putin's remark that "They cannot make us say Islam equals terrorism," and added that religious intellectuals should condemn terrorism with more courage. Later on, I found an opportunity to talk with him personally. I told him that Esteemed Fethullah Gülen showed that courage in Turkey. I gave examples about his dialogue efforts and fight against terrorism without mincing words. It is a good thing that one of Esteemed Gülen's books, related to terrorism has been published in Russian, and a young friend accompanying me, gave the book to Aslahanov as a gift.
As long as religion maintains its reputation, our hopes on the efforts for dialogue will increase. This meeting in Moscow has refreshed our hopes.
ZAMAN
- Created on .