VATICAN CITY, JAN. 26, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee says that dialogue is the best means to resolve wars and conflicts and to bring justice and peace to individuals and societies.
That was the committee’s conclusion from its two-day meeting held here Jan. 19-20, according to a joint statement signed by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and Dr. Hamid bin Ahmad Al-Rifaie, president of the International Islamic Forum for Dialogue.
Established in May 1998, the committee comprises representatives of the pontifical council and of the Al-Azhar Permanent Committee for Dialogue with Monotheist Religions.
The theme of the committee’s ninth meeting was «Human Dignity and Humanitarian Rights in Armed Conflicts.» Both sides agreed on the following points:
— «Because we, Christians and Muslims, believe in one God, we acknowledge that peace is a name of God, and that human dignity is a gift of Almighty God. We therefore appeal for continuous prayer for peace, and we affirm that justice and peace are the basis of relations and of interaction among human persons.
— «We appeal for an immediate end to all conflicts, including all forms of armed conflict, as well as all forms of aggression against the security and stability of peoples. We affirm the rights of peoples to self-determination, so that human life be spared, especially that of innocent people, children, women, the elderly and the disabled.
— «We appeal for the full respect for humanitarian law and for the rights of civilians, as well as those of prisoners, during armed conflict; and, furthermore, that no one be prevented from access to water, food, medicine and medical care. We also appeal for the preservation of infrastructures, property, homes, trees, animals and all that is necessary for life. This appeal is based on common religious values and the need to uphold international conventions.
— «We appeal for respect for the sacred character of places of worship and for their protection in time of war and in peace, and for the right of worship to be upheld.
— «We affirm the right to religious freedom and the practice of our religions according to their particularities.
— «We are convinced that violence generates violence, and that this vicious circle should end. We declare that dialogue is the best way for treating conflicts and wars and for realizing justice and peace among human beings and societies; therefore, we encourage the development of the culture of dialogue.»
The participants were received in audience last Tuesday by John Paul II, who encouraged the committee to continue its endeavors for peace. The Pope encouraged «all leaders of religions to promote a culture of dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect,» and reminded his listeners that «it is ever more necessary to convince peoples that peace is possible; what is more, it is a duty.»
