Interfaith dialogue

One of the greatest examples of inter-religious encounters was that between St Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt Sultan Malik al-Kamil.
“St Francis was struck by the morality and sincerity of the sultan and the sultan was struck by the fact that St Francis was a man of God. They discussed for days, debated, did not try to convert each other and left with respect and admiration for each other.”
Dr Syed Farid said although the general impression here was that Islam/Muslims were indifferent to dialogue, he said the Quran and the life of Prophet Muhammad showed otherwise.
Citing verse 64 of Surah Al-Imran and verse 125 of Surah An-Nahl, he said the Quran asked Muslims to engage in interfaith dialogue and in inter-civilisational dialogue with reason and evidence.
He added the prophet entered into agreements with Jews and Christians in Medina and they were referred to as ummah.
“The term ummah in Malaysia today, however, is exclusive to Muslims. Imagine if we used it as in the prophet’s time to include all Malaysians and not just a part of.”
Read