Nostra Aetate - In Our Time

67 uring the previous panels, we heard many reflections on the impact of Nostra Aetate on interreligious relations. Nostra Aetate , as we know, was an important milestone, heavily focused on the relations between the Abrahamic faiths. In this third panel, we move on to a forward-look- ing discussion. We will be discussing the future and expanding our conversation to include Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh perspectives. Before giving the floor to our speakers, I would like to briefly reflect on the need of dialogue and collaboration in our time. Our society is urgently in need of peace, and peace only comes through dialogue, respect and recognition of the Other. The Quran called on all of us to get to know the Other. What better way is there to do that than dia- logue? God stated in his saying: يا أيها الناس إنا خلقناكم من ذكر وأنثى وجعلناكم شعوبا { قال تعالى: { وقبائل لتعارفوا إن أكرمكم عند الله أتقاكم إن الله عليم خبير that there was a reason He created man and woman, and He has a reason for making us all belong to different tribes and cultures. His reason is for us to get to know each other – through dialogue. In other words, He is telling us that diversity is part of the world’s beauty. Also, when the Quran says in Surah 109, verse 6: قال تعالى: {لكم دينكم و لي دين{ which means: “To you your religion, and to me my reli- gion”, there is another sign of acceptance of religious diversity. Nostra Aetate celebrated this diversity and broke barriers 50 years ago. Although it mostly impacted Jew- ish-Christian relations, it represented also an important step in the relations between Christians and Muslims. In the 1970s, few years after the Declaration was pub- lished, there were many dialogue initiatives among both groups. For example, a delegation from the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, in Cairo, visited Rome in December 1970. Later, in 1974, a Saudi delegation of experts in Islamic law were received in audience by Pope Paul VI. Encounters like these are still taking place, as there is clearly a need to learn about each other and to engage in dialogue. The three speakers from this panel will now share their experiences and thoughts about how to expand the collaboration in our time. Swami Agnivesh, member of the KAICIID Board of Directors, a long-time advo- cate for human rights in India and beyond, as well as the president of the World Council of Arya Samaj, will discuss religious peacemaking. Rev. Kosho Niwano, President-Designate of Rissho Kosei-kai, will share her Buddhist reflections on creating a culture of dialogue and peace. Bhai Sahib Ji Mohinder Singh, the third in line of Sikh religious leaders of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha UK – and the final speaker, will highlight his Sikh perspective. D BROADENING INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE AND COLLABORAT ION FOR OUR T IME Dr. Al-Majed participates in a discussion on the value of women in interreligious dialogue, Vienna, 2015