Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship

[ 33 ] — RELIGIOUS LEADERS’ PLATFORM — deserves to be followed and replicated. The national unity between Muslims and Christians has closed the gaps that could have being filled by terrorist extremism in Lebanon. This unified society of religious groups and actors, in coor- dination with the state, have ensured that the vulnerable and oppressed are protected from violence, and are given food and basic necessities. We are still continuing to do this. Tenth: we cannot truly enjoy freedom while our fellow brothers and sisters are still suffering. We cannot live in peace and certainty while fear engulfs communities in our immediate vicinity and around the world. We realize that the triumph of evil needs nothing more than for people to stand idly by, indifferent to what is happening. Experience has taught us that defending our human dig- nity, our rights and our freedoms begins with defending everyone’s human dignity, rights and freedoms. All human- ity is the same family. Finally, I would like to pay a heartfelt tribute to the Inter- national Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) for its constructive efforts in helping Muslims and Christians in the Middle East, Asia and Africa to build bridges of understanding and cooperation. It is the noblest task in the world and one that humanity is in need of. Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah upon you. ear brothers and sisters — in the face of grow- ing tensions, sensitivities and polarization in our region, the launch of this platform of religious leaders and institutions, aimed at deepening peaceful coexistence, is indeed an urgent imper- ative. Therefore, I warmly welcome KAICIID’s initiative, which will undoubtedly further interreligious dialogue and broaden the scope of our joint activities. In fact, our common humanity, our common ethical values and our common citizenship should become the firm foundations of this platform. Furthermore, I believe that the following points should become the guiding principles of this initiative. Let me briefly highlight these six points. First—deepening our shared values, developing a common ethical framework from which to adopt common positions and strategies with respect to the issues and concerns facing our societies, is possible and necessary. Our coexistence will remain shaky if it is not undergirded by shared values. Second — promoting tolerance. Deepening our shared values will distance our religions from exclusive claims and fundamentalist tendencies. It will also protect them from the abuse and misuse of ethical values, religious beliefs, traditions and symbols. Indeed, only by giving tangible articulation to the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and acceptance, can we overcome fear and distrust and build a peaceful and harmonious coexistence. Third — building mutual trust. In spite of growing Christian–Muslim dialogue, the misconceptions, stere- otypes and biased attitudes about each other still prevail. Mutual knowledge promotes mutual understanding and common responsibility, and builds mutual trust which is a core value underpinning and enhancing the coexistence of the communities in our region. We can build mutual trust by respecting each other’s teachings, symbols and traditions and by engaging our people in education and the process of building awareness. Fourth — fostering common belonging. Muslims and Christians are challenged to move beyond good neighbourly relations to give concrete manifestations to their common belonging as co-citizens. Common citizenship supposes equal responsibilities, equal obligations, equal rights as well as full participation in all domains and at all levels of society. Fifth — overcoming violence. Violence, in all of its forms and expressions, has become a dominant feature of HH Catholicos Aram I Keshishian D We don’t practice dialogue in Lebanon, we live dialogue. It is part of the quality of life