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, corresponding to 7-9 Jumada at-Thani, 1429 A.M. The Catholic delegation was headed by Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Vatican City. There were ten participants from the Muslim world and ten from the Vatican and other Churches. Usually, the Committee pick up the 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 the 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 group.
Speaking about the subject, Dr. Abdullah Omar Nasseef, the 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 the people. This is what we emphasized. This year the discussion was very good and straightforward; because we know all religions call for peace and order and kindness and cooperation between the religions".
Dr. AI-Moqri Abou Zyad al-ldrissi 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 behaviour. Dr. al-ldrissi is an MP in the Parliament of Morocco and the Chairman of the Moroccan-Russian Friendship Organization. He is also a good writer. A Member of Parliament from Algeria, an ex-Minister, also spoke about Justice, Islam, and so on and there were two more speakers. There was Sheikh Professor Shaheed of the Supreme Muslim Council of Ireland. He is the chair of the European Muslim Council.
"There were some absentees. Some of the members failed to attend the meeting and sent their apologies, such as the apologies which came from AI-Azhar. The Muslim World League was not there and also some other members," said Dr. Nasseef.
The Pontifical Council released a statement about the meeting, which had the theme "Christians and Muslims as Witnesses of the God of Justice, of Peace and of Compassion in a World Suffering From Violence."

Statement

The Vatican statement said, "The topic was treated from a religious point of view according to the teaching of our two religious traditions."
The committee agreed on five points, the first being that "from the inherent dignity of each human being stem fundamental rights and duties."
They added: "Justice is a priority in our world. It requires, beyond the implementation of the existing legal provisions, the respect of 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.
"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 by violence in many forms.
"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." Finally, the committee affirmed that "if authentically practiced, effectively contribute in promoting brotherhood and harmony in the human family."
The Islamic-Catholic Liaison Committee, with four international Islamic organisations convening annually, came into being in 1995, about years ago when Dr. Nasseef was in the Muslim World League as Secretary General. In 1998, an agreement was signed with AI-Azhar, one of the world's oldest universities and Islam's most widely known and respected institution of higher learning. And there were regular meetings. Sometimes there were special and extraordinary meetings on some issues such as 9/11 and some other issues. Generally, the Islamic-Catholic Committee meets once in a year.
After the meeting, the participants of the Islamic-Catholic Meeting were taken to the Pope Benedict XVI. About the meeting with the Pope, Dr. Nasseef said, "he was kind and welcomes everybody, he encourages the dialogue and is looking forward that the religions can cooperate to bring peace and harmony between people and to eliminate some of the difficulties which are being faced here and there." Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, the President and the Secretary, respectively, of the Vatican dicastery participated.

International Islamic Conference for dialogue

Replying to my queries about the International Islamic Conference for Dialogue at Makkah al-Mukarramah, Dr. Nasseef said, "The Pope mentioned very briefly. He is looking forward that according to the wishes of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia some regular arrangements can be made for religions to work together and there is international dialogue between religions and civilizations groups. He is hoping that this will happen."
Dr. Nasseef also added, "The Pope was encouraging. And the Cardinal Tauran, head of the Catholic delegation and in-charge of inter-religious dialogue in the Vatican City, was very positive and his words were very encouraging.” – M. H.

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