Christians and Muslims confer on a 'Common Word'

Christian and Muslim scholars gathered in Cadenabbia, Italy, from Oct. 1-4, 2009 from Asia and Africa to discuss the theme of “A Common Word between Christians and Muslims.” Three Pakistani scholars including Father James Channan OP, who also presented a key note paper, Abid Hasan Manto advocate and Qazi Javaid participated in the conference.

The conference’s final statement says, “Together we affirm that we will respect each other that we will not speak contemptuously and we renounce the use of, or incitement to, violence in the name of God or religion.” “We recognize and do not pretend to resolve the theological and ideological differences, in all their diversities, within and between our two faith communities, and yet we affirm with full accord the oneness of God whom we serve with our whole being,” the statement said. The conference further added, “We want to speak and act with utmost responsibility because we know from firsthand experience in our regions the consequences that can flow from “easy words.”

“We deplore the actions of extreme groups who abuse the noble teachings of our religions, and manipulate religious sentiments; and the mass hysteria that can lead to violations of individuals and communities. We recognize that there is a responsibility upon majority communities to uphold the human rights and dignities of minorities within their societies,” the conference believed. “We choose not to be prisoners of the negative aspects of our history and the bitter memories we may have inherited. Rather, inspired by the hope our religions generate, we commit ourselves to constructing a more positive future. Those who have the burden of leadership in our communities bear a particular responsibility not to succumb to stereotype and prejudice, but to maintain a constructive vision,” the statement asserted