(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Dr Aisha al-Mannai is the Vice-Chair of the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue, a researcher, an academic, and a woman addressing inter-religious dialogue. We had the following interview with her in which she was frank and clear. She placed a strong emphasis on the necessity of dialogue for people in general. To her, the absence of democracy and freedom of opinion and belief, in addition to intransigence, are among the most important challenges to dialogue. Furthermore, the so-called male-centred communities create an additional challenge for a woman because she is not engaged in the dialogue due to mistrust in women's capabilities. Below is the dialogue in full:
QUESTION: Do you see the need for dialogue in today's world? In other words, can it really contribute in achieving international peace?
ANSWER:There is no doubt that dialogue is of utmost importance at all times and in all places until the final hour. I have always believed, and still do believe, that dialogue is the only and most optimal solution for all issues of mankind. It is true that Allah, The Almighty, has distinguished man with reason, logic and thinking, but did not save him from error in thought and opinion.
Therefore, mankind is in the direst need of discussion and dialogue which is one of our most distinctive characteristics. Dialogue serves his benefit and the benefit of all people around him. In many cases interests and purposes clash, and the absence of dialogue inevitably leads to conflict; which is detrimental to everything and destroys relations between individuals and countries.
Q: What are the most important challenges to dialogue today around the world?
A:There are many challenges to dialogue. The most important is the absence of democracy and freedom of opinion and belief. In addition to intransigence, where one thinks that only his opinion is right and only he is on path of truth and all others are in error and falsehood. Other challenges include intolerance of sect and doctrine, narrow-mindedness, and misunderstanding of the concept of dialogue among Muslims and non-Muslims. Also, the refusal of acknowledging the right of difference in opinion, but rather seeing differences as dispute and hostility.
Also, presently, the media contributes significantly and clearly in thwarting the effort of dialogue. It has become a great instrument of affliction and igniting clashes and conflicts. From among the obstacles of dialogue, a mention may also be made of mistrust and doubt between the participants in dialogue and the attempt to vindicate oneself at the expense facts, peace, and security.
As to the recent political crisis in the Gulf, is it not an indication of the absence of mechanisms of dialogue between the brothers? It is true that the dialogue with the other party is needed, but dialogue with oneself is a real necessity, isn't it?
The crisis of the Gulf, or more correctly, the crisis of Qatar with its sisterly Gulf states because of their unfair judgment against it was, in principle, the result of the absence of dialogue due to a political or economic benefit they see for themselves. Thus Qatar was accused of terror and put under a political, economic and even social blockade. All this bears the same violence and terror which they claim to fight. This is a fact in which there is no doubt. Were all parties of the crisis to be subject to dialogue, the crisis would have found no place and brotherhood and love would have been maintained between the brothers.
Q: As a woman addressing the issues of dialogue and peaceful co-existence, do you see that the women play a real role in the field of dialogue?
A:The woman's role in the dialogue is that of a human being because the woman, in the end, is a human being of full competence, reason and logic, as mentioned by the Qur'an:
l {O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.} [Qur'an 49:13]
l{The believing men and believing women are allies of one another.} [Qur'an 9:71]
So, to me, woman's role in the dialogue, and participation in decision making, is of the most important and the greatest aspects of civilisational behaviour of any nation. Woman is a guardian and educator. If she believes in something, and is convinced of it, it is instilled in the minds and hearts of her children. They have a wide range of acceptance, openness to others, and broadmindedness to accept dialogue.
Q: What are the most important problems women encounter in the field of dialogue?
A:The so called male-centred communities hinder women from being engaged in the dialogue due to mistrust in their capabilities.
Q:Where is the solution? Is it with the authorities? Men? Or the women?
A:In my view, the mission of engaging women in dialogue, and instilling the importance of dialogue should come from the most supreme authorities in any country. It depends on what is called democracy in our contemporary concept which different countries have adopted in their constitutions and laws. The leader must be aware of all institutions and components of the state. This will give opportunity to the free constructive media and allow the religious scholars the opportunity to show religion in its true form without fear, producing in the end a society whose people, even before politicians, media, and religious scholars, believe in justice, freedom, and equality.
Q: Do the faculties of Shariah sciences play their required role in deepening the culture of dialogue among young generations?
A:The faculties of Shariah differ in their curricula from country to country although the basic topics are the same. Adopting dialogue is subject in all curricula to the teacher and his thinking and ability to accept the other. That is why the teacher is of great importance and significance in the faculties of Shariah, because he is the educator and tutor, and it is he who runs the curriculum in many cases according to what he likes. So, there is a necessity to put criteria and goals that serve religion and its purposes in its call for tolerance, peace, justice and freedom, but without ruining its principles over which there is no difference.
Q: How do you assess the performance and role of the Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue through your personal experience?
A:The Doha Centre for Interfaith Dialogue was established as a result of the recommendation of the first three conferences for interfaith dialogue, and by a decree from His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. It was, and still is serving, the state's civilisational trend and Qatar's national vision 2030 in its different tracks especially in the area of social development which is based on developing a just and secure community based on good morals and able to deal and interact with other communities.
Throughout my experience in interfaith dialogue I see that the Centre, with its full staff and teamwork, presents the correct vision of Islam's relation with other religions and respect for the other in application of Allah's saying:
l{Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.} [Qur'an 60:8]
Moreover, I have found that the Centre has been a representative of soft diplomacy in all its activities inside and outside the country through its objectives, vision, belief in combating extremism and terror with all its forms and kinds. It attempts to bring together communities, peoples, religions and cultures through dealing, co-operation, and participation with the different communities in Qatar, which represent a variety of sects, creeds, ideas and languages. Hence, I believe that the Centre in supporting the country in its different cultural activities.
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