Growing Peace - Muslims and Christians Together!
There is no peace without justice and peace brought about by violence does not endure. If we want lasting peace we must begin with ourselves.
Background
When the pre-emptive strike, “Shock and Awe”, was imminent on Iraq late in 2002, the Columban Centre for Peace Ecology and Justice decided to take specific pre-emptive action for peace. Our concern had been growing about the social climate of fear and uncertainty because of the violent international situation. We were already involved in the direct ramifications of the high profile of Islam on the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious reality of Australia because of the work of the Columban Centre for Christian Muslims Relations. In partnership with that Centre, we decided to approach Local Councils, proposing a public forum dedicated to community education on the issues of peace and non-violence in a multi-religious society.
The issues
The forum addresses two issues:
Are Christians and Muslims so fundamentally opposed to each other that they are a major cause of division and conflict within society?
and
Do Christians and Muslims share common convictions about peace and non-violence that can inspire them to work towards mutual understanding and so model and promote peace and harmony in society?
To counter the popular perception that religion is the cause of violence, we wanted to demonstrate that the authentic practice of religion is about peace and reconciliation. We also wanted to encourage the learning of peace-building skills in dealing with the human reality of conflict.
The Model
The peace forum is a practical demonstration of dialogue and understanding between believers from different religions and is consistent with the public commitments made by the leaders of the different world religions in Assisi on the 24th of January 2002 It provides an opportunity for the public to share and to ask questions about how Islam and Christianity impact on relations at the local level, and to reflect on how together they can build communities of peace and mutual understanding at a neighbourhood level. Many Local Councils see this as an initiative that fits in with their Community Development Plan. We have been delighted with their response. So far seventeen of these public forums have been conducted with the one in Griffith being the first held outside of Sydney.
The format is four speakers, two male, two female, two Muslim, two Christian. The talks address divisions in our society. The speakers talk about peace and active nonviolence from the perspective of Muslim and Christian scripture and belief. They include the positive role of the authentic practice of religion in growing a culture of peace. They acknowledge examples of where Muslims and Christians have failed to live up to the message of both their faith traditions. They talk about the cultural differences and the cultural influences of both the past and the present on Islam and Christianity. They give details about practical peace initiatives, including where Muslims and Christians work together and engage with each other.
Then follows question time and after that refreshments. The question time reveals the truth of the saying “We see things and people, not as they are, but as we are.” The questions usually fall into two areas: misconceptions, or how individual people of good will, who very often feel powerless, can bring about change. The people who attend seem to be coming because they want to learn or they want to grow a culture of peace. A few come because of their entrenched position, the “us and them” people who are not open to the truth of others. Their questions are responded to with respect. The refreshments afterwards offer a place for dialogue. A program booklet with simple ideas for action is provided for people to take home and hopefully implement.
Community involvement
The planning process is different in each Council area according to their structures and community needs. Most Councils involve community groups and faith representatives in the planning. Some have interfaith groups already. There is much learning along the way as problems are solved together.
The following Christian Muslim Peace forums have been held since 2003;
• July 17th 2003 North Sydney Council
• October 14th 2003 Rockdale;
• October 15th 2003 Holroyd City Council
• October 23rd 2003 Leichhardt Municipal Council
• May 17th 2004 Baulkham Hills Shire Council
• June 26th 2004 Ashfield Municipal Council
• November 28th 2004 Fairfield City Council
• November 30th 2004 Hurstville City Council
• June 17th 2005 Hornsby Shire Council
• September 9th 2005 Griffith City Council
• November 17th 2005 Kogarah Municipal Council
• Sept 5th 2006 Auburn City Council
• Nov 1st 2006 Randwick City Council
• Nov 8th 2006 Sutherland Shire Council
• June 20th 2007 Blacktown City Council
• April 10th 2008 City of Sydney Council
• June 18th 2008 City of Canterbury Council
Hopes for the future
How much could we achieve if we really worked at authentically living out our beliefs by growing a culture of peace? The new Pope Benedict wants this, saying at his installation “At the beginning of my pontificate I address to all of you, and to believers of the religious traditions represented here, as well as to all those who seek Truth with a sincere heart, an intense invitation to become together architects of peace, in a reciprocal commitment of understanding, respect and love.”
If there were peace studies in local communities and a Department of Peace at the national level, we would all develop skills in conflict resolution and peace-making. We could put the resources that are used for war into dealing with poverty, injustice, environmental degradation. By thinking globally and acting both locally and globally, we could achieve what centuries of peace through violent means have failed to do.
