How is Tolerance Possible Here in the 21st Century?
Tuesday, 7th March 2006 1.10pm

Speakers: Mustafid Gani, Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland
Rev. Bill Darlison, Minister, Dublin Unitarian Church
Chair: Doireann Ni Bhriain

Below is a synopsis of the talk between the two speakers:
Rev. Bill Darlison described how Freedom, Reason and Tolerance have been cornerstones of Unitarianism for over two centuries. However our attitudes to these beliefs and how we define them are changing in order to meet the needs of a changing, modern world. This is especially necessary for tolerance. He asked if tolerance was adequate to express our feelings towards people of other faiths. Or did it imply indifference. i.e. I get on with mine, you get on with yours.
Rev. Darlison saw religious systems as not intrinsically conflicting, as part of a symphony of praise offered to God. Every faith system has something unique and precious to offer. He spoke of the need for a radical reappraisal in the way we view religion. He suggested that different faith systems are differing cultural responses to religion.
He told a story about Buddha; how tiring of his supporters squabbling, Buddha ordered them to be blindfolded. They were then made to touch an elephant and describe what they felt. They all described different things; one said the leg of the elephant was a tree. Each man was right in his description, but only partly right. Even their combined description could not do justice to the elephant.
Similarly with religion. No single quality can describe the Divine. It is beyond our interpretation. There is no absolute truth. Religion, sadly, rarely makes such an admission. Just as we learn to live with and tolerate the generation gap, so must we give each religion respectful space.
Mustafid Gani spoke of the definitions of tolerance, how they do not do it justice. Islam commands people to respect, honour and defend the property and life of those who do not profess the Muslim faith. He spoke of a number of ways in which Muslims are exhorted by the Koran to be tolerant:
Muslims believe all human beings have dignity and honour conferred by God.
As children of Adam we are bound by universal brotherhood.
Prophets of all religion are described as ‘brothers’ by Islam.
God has given man free will to choose his own faith. The Koran states there should be no compulsion in religion.
The differences between people are exciting and enriching.
Muslims are ordered to deal justly with people, to stand up for justice.
Dialogue and debate must be conducted in the best of ways.
Non Muslims are offered a pact of protection in Muslim societies. Umar, the 2nd Caliph of Islam upon entering Jerusalem offered the people this protection pact: “This is the pact of protection Umar, the leader of the believers offers to the people of Jerusalem, He is offering them protection over their lives, property, churches, crosses and all other aspects of their beliefs, their churches cannot be inhabited, demolished or altered, nothing can be taken from them, nor from the cross or the treasures they contain. They are not to be forced against their religion, nor can they be harmed”
Muslims are obliged to defend and protect non Muslims from invasion and injustice.
Non Muslims are given protection of their property and their honour and the freedom to practice their professed faith.
These views express the golden years of Islam. How most Muslims would like to deal with others.

Q & A Session
Floor: How can we go forward with the debate?
Mustafid Gani: We must allow ordinary Muslims who have studied the Koran to have their say. Not just ‘hot heads’. The media also has a responsible role to play. They must not just report ‘hot head’ statements. Ordinary Muslims must also speak up.
Floor: We must celebrate diversity.
Floor: Asked for views on recent cartoon controversy.
Rev. Bill Darlison: Free speech is a right. But we should not always exercise that right. It is more important that we respect principles of the other culture. We also do not understand why Muslims are objecting. This has not been explained in the media.
Mustafid Gani: There is no such thing as absolute freedom of expression. Common sense allows us to control that freedom. The Cartoon controversy is a polarisation of extremes on both sides. Fanaticism on both sides is wrong. There is ignorance about Islamic faith in schools. An opportunity should be extended to teach people about the Prophet. He should not be ridiculed.
Floor: Christians would be equally horrified if Jesus was portrayed as a paedophile. Similar to Mohamed being portrayed as a bomber.
Floor: What publications give us a moderate view of Islam to-day?
Mustafid Gani: A lot of the material is in Arabic. Perhaps try ‘ Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources’, by Martin Lings.
Floor: Armstrong’s “History of Islam”.
Floor: What is the position here today re tolerance?
Mustafid Gani: I moved here in 2004 with my family and was surprised by the warmth and friendliness of the Irish people, particularly our Irish neighbours. Generally Irish people are accepting, more so that in the UK. However the Irish media are not a true representation of the Irish people. I found them to be particularly nasty and to overstep the boundaries more that the media in the UK.

Carmel White