Joseph Cassar writes...
Last Sunday (September 4), the world community of Christian-Islamic Interfaith Dialogue lost one of its seasoned champions with the demise of Libyan intellectual Mokhtar Ihsan Aziz.
Now broadly acknowledged, the need to nurture dialogue and understanding between distinct cultures and religions was barely sprouting 40 years ago. Only people with profound vision understood that, with increased contact between peoples, such dialogue was not only important but vital to ensure mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. However, few dared take practical initiatives related to such a complex dialogue.
A good friend of the people of Malta and Gozo, he was undoubtedly among the few who, in collaboration with a number of Arab and Islamic scholars and the World Council of Churches, initiated, nurtured and helped such dialogue evolve and develop.
He was a firm believer that ignorance of the other generates fear and prejudice and, as such, is often the major obstacle to genuine, healthy dialogue. However, even a superficial knowledge of one’s own faith, culture, language and identity hinders dialogue.
Thus, for him, knowledge of oneself was basic in fostering...
↧