Faith,
Friendship and Peace
By Akbar S. Ahmed/
J. Douglas Holladay
Washington, DC
Decades back, former Sen.George
Aiken from Vermont famously observed: "If
we were to wake up one morning and find that we
were all the same race, religion and nationality...we'd
find some other reason to hate each other by noon."
How utterly prophetic and sad.
Is human nature indeed that dark, seeming devoid
of any true humanity? Is there an antidote to
what appears to be a race toward annihilation?
Is the growing divide between the West and the
rest reversible? President Bush, your main challenges
will be terrorism and relations with the Muslim
world during your administration. We have something
to offer you. By way of example, we — a
Muslim and a Christian — declare a resounding
"yes," there is in fact a way forward.
Relationships are the best bridge to real understanding.
Whether on the interpersonal level — between
two individuals — or on the geopolitical
stage — between two nations — understanding
and trust grow in the rich soil of friendship.
Christians and Muslims need to be encouraged to
have real dialogue in their communities, especially
during Ramadan, and as Osama bin Laden and al
Qaeda try to threaten our societies. As our world
becomes increasingly intolerant and polarized
on the basis of economics, race, ethnicity, culture
and, most sadly, religion, we offer an alternative.
Our suggestion is counterintuitive and starts
modestly between individuals. Knowing that millions
are killed regularly in the name of religion,
one might conclude that we would avoid the "faith
factor" at any price. Yet we instead offer
a simple yet profound proposal: Look to faith
and friendship as the vital bridge to establishing
deep and lasting understanding. Consciously or
not, the world is in search of authentic models
which engender hope and where genuine faith breeds
civility and trust. The relationships of which
we speak don't skirt the tough issues but take
the time to establish a "bank account"
of goodwill and respect. The more solid the bridge,
the greater the ability to weather the tough stuff
of differences. Unfortunately, at present, the
airwaves add to the climate of division and mistrust
by giving relentless focus to the worst in human
nature. Naturally this feeds cynicism, while compassion
and understanding, formerly prized virtues, are
now viewed with contempt and considered "soft"
and irrelevant.
The two of us, one from the Muslim tradition,
the other Christian, met shortly after September
11 at the National Press Club in Washington. Each
was in search of a "soulmate" to explore,
in a climate of growing suspicions and brewing
hostil ity, a way to avoid what Harvard's Samuel
Huntington saw as the inevitable clash of civilizations.
While both of us enjoy politics, we prize faith
much more. Thus began an unusual journey together.
A decision was taken to meet regularly to better
understand our faith traditions and their effects
upon our beliefs and behavior. As the trust, understanding
and respect grew, we expanded our regular conversation
to include others similarly inclined — ambassadors,
CEOs, policy-makers, senators, even a few media
types and generals. Our objective was really quite
simple: to create a safe table around which all
could express their views and where we could learn
to live with our differences. In many parts of
the world today, people are killing over differences.
We decided instead to delight in them, concluding
that on this small planet, a sustainable model
of hope and civility might serve as a light in
the midst of so much darkness. Such models must
celebrate candor and free _expression i n the
context of trust and openness.
What we are learning is profound in its simplicity.
We are all more alike than different. Caring and
attempting to understand another's faith journey
and perspective are not compromises but rather
love in action. Taking time to be friends is an
investment, yet it establishes a climate to challenge
and ultimately modify one's set views and those
of others. It is humbling to enter into another's
life and worldview. It is far easier to demonize
and make caricatures of those who differ from
ourselves.
While the focus on our initiative has been deeply
personal, one interesting theological bridge has
been the person of Jesus. While one of us reveres
Him as the Lord and Savior of the world, the other
holds him as a highly revered and loved revelation
of God as was the prophet Muhammad. We are working
hard to convince one another of the veracity of
our views. Differences need not be a threat to
another. Mutual understanding in an increasingly
v iolent world needs to be rediscovered.
Must the war on terror be won? Absolutely. Yet
the antidote to the prophets of violence is not
only to use force but to construct bridges. Simple
friendship just might be the "real"
ticket. (Courtesy Washington Times)
(Akbar S. Ahmed holds the Ibn Khaldun Chair of
Islamic Studies at American University in Washington.
J. Douglas Holladay is a partner at Park Avenue
Equity Partners. Their dialogue sessions alternate
between Muslim and Christian homes)
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