Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship

[ 34 ] — INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE FOR PEACE — contemporary societies. How should we respond in our region to this life-threatening evil? The role of religious leaders could be, in my judgement, threefold: v Violence prevention. Common citizenship embraces and provides ample space for creative interaction between our common values and diversity, thus preventing the rise of fundamentalism, exclusiveness and violence. v Conflict resolution. Religious leaders can play a significant role in resolving conflicts through mediation and moderation. v Peacebuilding, which is of crucial importance in preventing and combating violence. Peacebuilding presupposes the promotion of justice. Sixth — strengthening religious moral authority. When a religion does not partake of peacebuilding, it is part of the problem, as it is not being faithful to its true teachings and genuine vocation. It is of vital importance, therefore, for a religion to remain faithful to its vocation, then it becomes a trustful instrument in peacebuilding. The greatest power of religion is its moral authority. Reli- gion should not identify itself with any political agenda or ideological orientation. Religion is called, with its moral authority and prophetic role, to perceive and implement its unique mission as an initiator, facilitator, encourager, rec- onciler and leader of all efforts aimed at conflict prevention and resolution. Seventh— transforming coexistence into living together. Christians and Muslims do not merely coexist, side-by-side as two separate blocks. They live together as neighbours, as partners, as co-citizens sharing common concerns, facing common challenges and striving for common futures. We can strengthen living together as a broader community