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MANILA, Philippines - Muslim scholars joined appeals for Muslim leaders to actively achieve peace with Christians and intensify efforts of inter-religious dialogue especially in Mindanao.
The scholars, in an open letter to their leaders, said the future of the world depends on peace between Christians and Muslims.
“The two commandments of love namely, love of God and love of the neighbor … (are) part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the One God, and love of the neighbor. These principles are found over and over again in the sacred texts of Islam and Christianity,” they said in a letter to Davao-based DC Herald.
Excerpts of the letter were posted Wednesday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website.
“Let this common ground be the basis of all future interfaith dialogue between us, for our common good is that on which hangs all the law and the prophets,” the letter added.
The religious scholars also said finding common ground between Muslims and Christians “is not simply a matter for polite ecumenical dialogue between selected religious leaders.”
In their letter, they said Christianity and Islam are the largest in the world and in history.
Christians and Muslims reportedly make up over a third and over a fifth of humanity respectively, they added.
“Together they make up more than 55% of the world’s population, making the relationship between these two religious communities the most important, factor contributing to meaningful peace around the world,”
they said.
“If Muslims and Christians are not at peace, the word cannot be at peace. With the terrible weaponry of the modern world and with Muslims and Christians intertwined everywhere as never before, no side can unilaterally win a conflict between more than half of the world’s inhabitants,” they added.
“So let our differences not cause hatred and strife between us. Let us vie with each other only in righteousness and good works. Let us respect each other, be fair, just and kind to another and live in sincere peace, harmony and mutual goodwill,’ the letter said.
Muslim leaders in Mindanao had manifested all-out-support through prayer and fasting to the ongoing Mindanao Week of Peace which was to culminate Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Silsilah Dialogue Movement promoting inter-religious cooperation encouraged a heightened awareness of Advent among Muslims in solidarity with Christians.
“The Silsilah family, composed of Christians and Muslims, for more than twenty years has given special attention to the month of Ramadhan of Muslims. Christians are encouraged to share a special solidarity with Muslims during Ramadhan. Now, as a family and as a movement, we encourage a heightened awareness of Advent and its spirit, inviting Muslims to share solidarity with Christians,” it said on the CBCP website.
Advent is the beginning of the Christian liturgical calendar. This year the period of Advent is from November 30 to December 25, culminating with Christmas.
It said that while the Muslim and the Christian faiths differ in the understanding of these two events, there is something in common to remember and celebrate.
Both communities of believers celebrate God’s love and compassion expressed in two different ways, it said. - GMANews.TV