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In
the past few weeks, one of the most touching images we’ve seen
is that of Pope Benedict in the Blue mosque in Turkey. The
sight of the Pontiff standing in silent prayer with Mustafa
Cagrici, the chief of religious affairs for Istanbul, bodes well
for the future of Christian-Muslim relations.
Despite
efforts by the Religious Right on both sides to turn the
Pope’s trip into something sinister and dangerous, it has
worked as a great bridge builder. This trip has also diffused
the affect of the Pope’s ill timed and unfortunate remarks
made in Germany last month, and have set a precedent about
positive interaction between faiths.
In
Turkey, Cagrici said, “…more swallows will arrive, and
we’re going to enjoy spring in the world all together”,
while the Pope said “With the help of God, we must find the
way of peace together, for the good of humanity.”
The
underlying message here is about acknowledging and respecting
the common heritage of the three monotheistic religions--Islam,
Christianity and Judaism.
However,
we need to take the extra step of according the same dignity to
the followers of Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism as well as
those who belong to the Zoroastrian and Baha'i faiths, but also
to those who are agnostics and atheists.
Many
Muslim Canadians, living and working in a multi-faith, yet
secular ethos, respect each other’s differences, but more of
us need to embrace the idea wholeheartedly rather than mere lip
service. What binds us is our Canadian national identity, in
keeping Canada strong and free; free from bigotry, hatred,
religious intolerance, and the medieval need to pass judgments
of apostasy and blasphemy.
Our
faiths may be based on divine texts, but our common Canadian
citizenship is based not on inherited race or religion, but the
secular laws written and enacted by fellow citizens representing
us in parliament. We must never forget the essence of what it is
to be Canadian.
As
the season for goodwill and cheer is upon us, here is an
opportunity to further a dialogue of civilizations in a positive
way.
For
Muslims, it is time to think outside the box and reflect on
the words of Swiss Muslim academic and theologian Tariq Ramadan.
On a recent trip to USA, he said in an interview with NBC, “we
are the mediators of Islam and a mirror image of our faith. The
key question we have to ask ourselves is our faith seen as being
visionary and all inclusive or only about fanaticism and
violence?”
In
order to project the true image of our pluralistic tradition, we
have to embrace those practicing other faiths or no faith
at all, and hope to be embraced in return. This is not
about tolerance but about acceptance. Ramadan who is author of
“Western Muslims and the Future of Islam” goes on say that
we must perceive ourselves as part of Western civilization and
not as “the other”.
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