The 2011 Muslim World League, Dialogue: A Human Common Bond (II)

The crises of this era share a common origin: they stem from problems arising from the myriad desires of the human mind. When these desires manifest in interpersonal relationships or between individuals and groups, they lead to conflict and distrust toward others.

Selfish desire gives rise to competition and opposition, fueling suspicion and doubt. Driven by the pursuit of maximum self-interest, individuals may harm others, failing to realize that transient material gratification can lead to widespread environmental degradation and even threaten human survival.

Human patterns of thinking and intentions influence the course of events. A motivation rooted in distrust creates and perpetuates cycles of distrust, contributing to a global vicious cycle. Therefore, to address the crises facing both religious communities and humanity in this era—or more precisely, to explore how religious groups can help resolve human crises—religious groups must first collaborate to inspire benevolent intentions in people, thereby resolving the crisis of trust and, in doing so, restoring peace to a planet troubled by human activity.

If we join with other religions on the basis of shared values about life to confront and alleviate the sufferings of life, we can rebuild the trust that has long been eroded. Only then can we resolve the crises of our time, for both religious groups and humanity at large. For instance, without the mutual trust and substantive dialogue and cooperation built over the past decade or so, I would not have been invited today to participate in numerous events organized by the Muslim World League (MWL), thanks to the profound friendship we have developed. Particularly noteworthy is the World Conference on Dialogue, hosted by the MWL in Spain in 2008, which stands as an exemplary model of fostering mutual understanding, trust, and cooperation among religions through dialogue.

From trust, shared convictions can arise. Much like today’s gathering, where we collectively believe that dialogue can resolve crises and bring a dawn of hope for peace to humanity. Thus, we are willing to sincerely set aside our egos and personal interests, striving together for the harmony of our living environment and the continuity of life for ourselves and future generations.

I recall being invited to Ladakh last year to participate in an interfaith dialogue between Islam and Buddhism, a region also marked by interfaith tensions. I conveyed to them that Ladakh, already grappling with economic hardships, would only deepen the suffering of its people if conflicts driven by self-interest persisted. Only through cooperation can we create the greatest benefits for our coexistence; only through the beauty of religious diversity can Ladakh flourish and become an earthly paradise for all beings.