VISIT TO THE COLUMBAN CENTER FOR MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN RELATIONS ON 10th AUGUST, 2002 BY AFFINITY WOMEN

In today's world of almost borderless nations, peoples of different faiths are interacting at a frequency far higher than ever before. The result has been a mixture of increased tolerance in some cases; however there have been many unfortunate experiences of hatred and fear. Fourteen centuries ago, the Qur'an laid down Islam's response to this, Say: "Oh People of the Book! Come to common terms between us and you: that we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with him; that we take not from among ourselves Lords & patrons" If they turn back, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims (surrenderors to God's will)". The Islamic proclamation of faith or monotheism then is represented here as a unifying statement and one which would solicit the widest consensus amongst religious leaders. Interfaith dialogue then, is the best solution for bridging the divide between religious beliefs. However, as M. Fethullah Gulen's remarks in an article written on the topic of dialogue, it is not enough to expect respect for ones faith from others, all members must work proactively to achieve it, "…We expect love & respect, tolerance and forgiveness and liberality and affection, especially from God. But can we expect these if we do not first offer them to others?"
It was in this spirit of mutual respect and understanding, that a group of around 10 women from Affinity Intercultural Foundation visited the Columban Centre for Muslim-Christian relations in Turramurra on the 10th of August 2002. The rather commanding building until recently was used as a seminary for young men working to enter the priesthood. Now it is home to the aforementioned, run by a group of people and led by Sister Pauline Rae. We were given an extensive tour of the complex, which houses accommodation for over 50, large research libraries, as well as two chapels. Over lunch we introduced ourselves and spoke about our personal relationship to our religion as well as what we believed were important goals to be reached through dialogue, and indeed the very essence of dialogue itself. While we were all an extremely diverse group in terms of our faith, our background and our lives, there was an overwhelming sense of unification amongst us where God and spirituality were concerned and also on the importance of building relationships through the instrument of dialogue. The day was a very great success, thanks in great part to the organizational skills of both Sister Pauline & Affinity's Hacer Saral, and paved the way for other events of a similar nature. Events such as this, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, are important stepping-stones in the path towards greater reconciliation between the communities of the world's major religions, and a more sophisticated mutual tolerance. All participants on the day expressed a commitment to the furtherance of this goal. In a book given to us on this occasion by Sister Pauline by Cardinal Francis Arinze discussing the importance of dialogue & the mechanics behind it; the concluding paragraph states, "…The possibilities and potential of dialogue are many. There has been a sharing of values in both directions. And there has been a greater appreciation of the role which cooperation between believers has to play if religion is to be realistically present to a world that is thirsting for solidarity, development, high moral values, justice, peace and love. The balance is in favour of inter- religious dialogue. Let it go on…"