Wind of Love : Hard answer to the Islamic militancy

By William Gomes
Bangladesh becomes a threat for the regional security for the growing Islamic militancy. They country has experienced bomb attack on 63 districts out of 64 districts. Bangladesh church has experienced bomb attack on the Catholic Church in baniarch in past mainly targeted to kill the priest. In such situation the endeavor of Christina priest to seat together with Muslim Imam is really a model before the nation to beat the communalism and Islamic militancy and bring forth the message of love. In a country like Bangladesh where the Christians are observing Easter an Christmas under police security in fear of Islamic militancy the dialogue with the Imam showed the deep patient of love towards the neighbors of Christian priest.The nice greetings” Asalamulikum” and Good morning “break the silence in the room of full of Christian pastor and Imam in Dhaka University on 29th April. A large number of Christian pastors and Muslim Imam was present on the occasion including the Vatican Ambassador H.E Rev.Msgr. Joseph Morino , Archbishoph of Dhaka H.E Most Rev.Paulinus Costa ,D.D, Italian Ambassador to Dhaka H.E Dr. Itala Occhi , and H.E Reired Bishop Linus Nirmal Gomes.

The conference, whose topic was “Imams and pastors dialogue on unity in diversity”, is being organized by the Department of World Religions of Dhaka University, the Episcopal Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue and the center for religious and Intercultural dialogue. It will take place in the capital with 30 Christian pastors, 30 Muslim Imams and other related experts counting total 80 individuals.

In receiving the bishops of Bangladesh for their ad Limina Apostolorum Benedict XVI urged the prelates must “persevere with patient dedication” on the path of interfaith dialogue, which is an “essential component of the Church's mission.”

The apostolic nuncio to Bangladesh Rev.Msgr. Jospeh Marino said that “today's dialogue is a new beginning towards justice and peace and common good and it can be a model before the nations”

Archbishop of Dhaka Msgr. Paulinus costa , D.D said that “ We are called to be an instrument of peace” .

The founder of the Department of World Religions, Dr Kazi Nurul Islam said there are lots of Christians who don't know that Mother Mary was clearly titled as the greatest women in the world by Holy Quran and Christ has a very high position in Holy Quran also. To answer many questions like these of Muslims and Christians we need inter religious dialogue.

He also added that although Bangladesh is a small country Bangladesh can be model before the nations to establish peace in the midst of violence by practicing inter religious dialogue.

Eva Sadia Sad the chair person of Department of World Religions of Du said where the communal violnence is spearading all over the world ,inter religious dailouge can bring a better solution.

The chief Imam of Dhaka university central mosque Maulana Khalilur Rahman said “ Christians are the best friend of Muslims quoting

the holy quran
Italian Ambassador to Dhaka H.E Dr. Itala Occhi said in her speech that “ the inter religious dialogue become an ongoing process of dialogue that could benefit the intercultural harmony of the country” .

She said to the audience that do not forget that in any country the urgency that comes from the basic structures of the society is conducive to considering adoption of policies that can discipline the fabric of the society itself in different and hopefully more suitableway.

She said to the religious leaders that you are in a position to proclaim vis a vis your communities are instrumental in making the fabric of the society more mature and in proceeding towards promoting full respect for human dignity,equality,social inclusion as well as in reducing the potential for antagonism and favouring peaceful resolution of conflicts.Nevertheless you are in the position to pick up the profound instances of the society and that is also a precious part of your mission.

She said interfaith dialogue has become an issue of international level.It is an accepted fact that international organizations give value and impulse,through guidelines approved in their fora, to initiatives that can be translated into policies and orientations in respective countries.Let me quote a passage of the United nations resolution 62/90 adopted by the General Assembly on December 17,2007:

She point out that Resolution declares next year, 2010 the international year for the rapprochement of cultures and recommends that,during the course of the year,appropriate events be organized on interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

The regional superior of PIME missionaries said “If Muslims and Christians are not at peace, the world cannot be at peace”.

Pics :
1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/33904944@N04/3490746093/

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With Thanks
William Nicholas Gomes
Executive Director
Christian Developement Alternative(CDA)
80/B BramoChiron,Saydabad,Dhaka-1203, Bangladesh.
Cell:+8801917303322
Website: www.persecutionbd.org

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