THERE can be No True and Lasting Peace without Justice – this statement came out from the 14th meeting of the Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee held in the Vatican, on 11-13 June 2008. The Catholic delegation was headed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City. There were 10 participants from the Muslim world and 10 participants from the Vatican and other Churches. Usually, the Committee picks up a current topic for discussion every year. Some scholars from both sides prepare papers for presentation. This year the theme was “Christians and Muslims as Witnesses of God of Justice, of Peace and of Compassion in a World Suffering from Violence.” There were six papers: three from the Muslim world and another three from the Catholic side. Speaking about the subject, Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, President of the World Muslim Congress, who attended the meeting, told me in an interview, while he was passing through Heathrow Airport on his way back to Saudi Arabia, “The papers were on ‘God is God of Mercy' and we are witnesses of the Mercy of God. Islam and other religions call for justice and kindness and harmony among people. This is what we emphasized. This year the discussion was very fruitful and straightforward; because we know all religions call for peace, order, kindness and cooperation among religions.” Dr. Moqri Abu Zyad Al-Idrissi from Morocco spoke on the subject ‘God is the God of Mercy.' He also spoke on the Mercy from the Life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his example. Dr. Al-Idrissi. an MP in Morocco, and chairman of the Moroccan-Russian Friendship Organization is also a good writer. A former minister and also a Member of the Parliament in Algeria also spoke about Justice in Islam. Among participants was also Prof. Shaheed Sataruddin of the Supreme Muslim Council of Britain who also heads the European Muslim Council. Both sides agreed on the following points: u From the inherent dignity of each human being stem fundamental rights and duties. u Justice is a priority in our world. It requires, beyond the implementation of the existing legal provisions, the respect for the fundamental needs of individuals and peoples through an attitude of love, fraternity and solidarity. There can be no true and lasting peace without justice. u Peace is a gift from God and also requires the commitment of all human beings, and particularly believers, who are called to be vigilant witnesses to peace in a world afflicted with violence in various forms. u Christians and Muslims believe that God is Compassionate and therefore they consider it their duty to show compassion towards every human person, especially the needy and the weak. u Religions, if properly practiced, effectively contribute in promoting brotherhood and harmony in the human family, according to the press release issued by the Committee. This Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee was formed about 13 years ago in 1995 when Dr. Naseef headed the Muslim World League as its Secretary General. The committee held regular meetings and sometimes there were special and extraordinary meetings on some particular issues such as 9/11 attacks and some other issues. Generally, the Islamic-Catholic Committee meets once in a year. After the meeting, the participants of the Islamic-Catholic Meeting had an audience with the Pope Benedict XVI. About the meeting with the Pope, Dr. Naseef said, “He was very kind and welcomes everybody. He encourages dialogue and is looking forward to the day when religions can cooperate to bring peace and harmony between people and resolve some of the problems which are being faced by our world.” Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, the President and the Secretary, respectively, of The Vatican City participated. Replying to my queries about the International Islamic Conference for Dialogue that was held at Makkah Al-Mukarramah, Dr. Naseef said, “The Pope said that he was hopeful that the wishes of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia would materialize and some regular arrangements would be made for religions to work together and international dialogue between religions and civilizations be held.” Dr. Naseef added, “The Pope was very supportive. And the Cardinal Tauran, head of the Catholic delegation and in-charge of inter-religious dialogue at The Vatican was very positive and encouraging.” __
