What can we achieve from interfaith dialogue?

Submitted by Farahi (Pakistan), Jan 23, 2007 at 16:56

Interfaith dialogue, as promoted by a number of modern voices, should be considered sympathetically. However, what, if anything, would we be able to achieve from it? Let us consider the possibilities. One, that Islam becomes more acceptable to the West. This is practically impossible because: Western Civilization is rooted in denial of all religious phenomena. Its second pillar is materialism or capitalism. Can we in any way compromise with these? The modern voices such as Ghamidi of Pakistan are advocating that this is possible. They believe that Islam also believes in fundamental capitalist concepts and is also tolerant of western mores and values.

This is obviously incorrect. Whether we like Islam or not it is apparant that:

1. Islam is an exclusive religion (it teaches salvation through Islam alone)

3. Islam is a RELIGION and therefore cannot compromise with secularism or western civilization

3. Islam is a moral religion and does not support capitalist exploitation

(Note that Islam is therefore very different from Christianity which had no Law)

The efforts of modernist Muslims therefore are not likely to succeed. This is a hard truth for our western readers. Islam is a comprehensive religious, social and spiritual system and would not give in. It has spawned a powerful culture and civlization of more than a billion people. It cannot be simply swallowed down the western scavanging capitalism.

Within the Muslim world, the Muslims are confident on one thing - all modern intellectual movements like Ghamidi's are influenced by the ascendancy of Western Capitalism. I am told that Ghamidi himself lives in the poshest locality of Pakistan and is closely linked with the dictorial Pakistani Army and its elitist rule. Is this the way Muslims can accept him? Remember early Muslim scholars who lived austere lives, dissociated with the kings?

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