Ethics in religious dialogue: an insight into Islamic perspectives

Abstract

The aspect of understanding other religious beliefs and cultures is not a new phenomenon. It owes its origin, idea and concept from the religious texts of major world religions. Religions teach human beings to understand one another so that they can live peacefully. However, due to the many differences among human beings, conflicts between nations often erupted that led to the destructions of many civilizations and life. We are living in a world today that is witnessing a massive movement of people and technology across all frontiers due to political, economical and religious reasons. The cross-border integrations have a far reaching effect and can be seen by a great increase in exchanges across cultural and religious borders. In such an atmosphere, the most effective tool as a mean to avoid conflict and destruction is through effective communication or dialogue. The differences in opinion on matters of religious concern or cultural practices need not necessarily be solved through arm struggle. By respecting cultural and religious diversity and at the same time recognizing the importance of human universal values, inter-faith dialogue is the most powerful tool for building bridges between people and nation. Islam promotes peace and encourages the believers to understand the other communities of the world. This paper attempts to highlight that Islam not only calls for engagement with other religions but provide guidelines on the manner for such inter- religious dialogue.