Abul Abdullah Ahmad
Interfaith dialogue should not begin only when communal tensions emerge. In a diverse society, mutual trust and understanding need to be built long before a crisis occurs.
Religious teachings, including the Qur’an, recognise human diversity and encourage people to know and understand one another. They emphasise dialogue with dignity, justice even towards those with whom one disagrees, and cooperation in matters of common good. The life of Prophet Muhammad also offers examples of peaceful coexistence, consultation and cooperation with people belonging to different faiths.
In today’s environment, however, dialogue needs to evolve into sustained engagement. Religious and community leaders can meet regularly to address concerns and build relationships. Young people, too, can play an important role through interfaith exchanges, community service, educational programmes and cultural interactions.
Communities can find common ground by working together on issues that affect everyone — poverty, healthcare, education, disaster relief and environmental protection. Such cooperation can help shift the focus from religious differences to shared responsibilities.
Social media has added another dimension to this responsibility. Rumours, misinformation and provocative content can spread rapidly and create mistrust between communities. Before reacting to unverified claims, individuals and community organisations should verify information and use trusted channels to clarify facts.
Interfaith dialogue does not require anyone to abandon their faith or erase genuine differences. Rather, it is about respecting those differences while recognising a shared responsibility towards peace, social harmony and the wider community.
