Christian Muslim Friendship
+ Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney
27 Jun 2004
In the last few weeks an American and a South Korean have been executed by terrorists in Iraq; another American captive suffered a similar fate in Saudi Arabia; the head of al Qa’ida in that country was killed in a shoot out by security forces; suicide bombings brought many deaths to Iraq and Afghanistan; and the Allies were still unable to capture Osama Bin Laden.
The relationship between the Western world and Islam will remain one of our greatest challenges for many years. Most people on both sides want peace and a cessation of violence, but massive currents are moving towards collision and a small minority seek this deterioration.
Experts claim that outrages like the Spanish bomb blasts, or worse, are likely throughout the West. Certainly no one can be sure they will be avoided. If the terrorists prevail and are able to strike repeatedly, the situation could become a true clash of civilizations.
Last Friday week there was a small but important gathering in Greenacre, the first official meeting, after some months of preparatory work of the Christian Muslim Friendship Society. It was an important sign of hope against a gloomy backdrop.
About 250 to 300 people attended, mainly men, many of them leaders in the Arab-Australian community, with perhaps slightly more Christians than Muslims present. It was a good start, because most of these people live together in the suburbs.
The objectives of the society are to build harmony in the community, especially among the different religious leaders, to keep government bodies and the media informed and to establish forums for discussion to promote understanding and tolerance. There is no political or ideological affiliation and an explicit rejection of sectarianism.
The meeting was sponsored by Bishop Issam Darwish, the Melchite Catholic bishop, who has a long history of friendship and useful co-operation with Muslims in Syria and also here in Sydney since his arrival in 1996.
Australia offers many blessings to those who believe in God, including respect for truth, for human family and dignity, for religious freedom, and a commitment to just, non-violent political structures. We have to work together to protect these good things, and to ensure that we continue to enjoy them despite hostile pressures that can arise both from within our society, and from outside.
We should do whatever we can to encourage dialogue and moderation, and especially to get to know our Australian Muslim friends and encourage the two groups of young people to know one another.
Regular sporting contests between Christian and Muslim schools, and with state schools would help here. School rivalries can often make for adult friendships and understanding.
We should build now while we can, lest we be overtaken by events.
