In the Indian capital, a two-day conference was held with discussions and reflections on how to promote interfaith understanding and respect. Fr Victor Edwin told AsiaNews that "only by defeating ignorance can we foster a culture of understanding, and then walk the path of peace."

Delhi (AsiaNews) - Christians and Muslims "have to meet each other because only through encounters can we learn to listen and find those common points that have the potential to become bridges of mutual understanding. Peace and listening to others are the only antidote to a reality of suspicion, war and violence," Fr Victor Edwin told AsiaNews. The Indian Islam expert took part in the great seminar held in Delhi on Christian-Muslim relations in Asia.

Titled Building a Community of Peace, the meeting was organised by several groups involved in interfaith dialogue like the St Francis Xavier Movement, the Henry Martyn Institute, the Interfaith Coalition for Peace and the Islamic Studies Association.

The two-day conference (11 and 12 February) saw participants alternate moments of study of the great figures of interfaith dialogue with insights on how Christian and Muslim communities live in South Asia.

The various speakers stressed Pope Francis' words: "Turning to mutual respect in interreligious relations, especially between Christians and Muslims, we are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values. Particular respect is due to religious leaders and to places of worship. How painful are attacks on one or other of these."

According to Fr Edwin, a Jesuit, "ignorance is a major obstacle to the achievement of these objectives of peace. But we must distinguish between ' simple', 'wilful' or 'culpable' ignorance."

"We defeat the first through objective information; otherwise, we are at the mercy of biases masquerading as truth. Whenever we can, we should deepen our knowledge of the other."

On the other hand, "'induced' or wilful ignorance is an even greater danger. It acts as a cognitive barrier that resists knowledge, ensuring that biases rule heart and mind. Those who live in this state do not listen to reason, and providing them with simple information does not help them change. Real change is needed through a collective and well-structured effort, sustained over time, to open the eyes of these people. "

But the real problem is when ignorance is combined with culpability. "Here we are in front of people who use ignorance in an ideological way, deliberately choosing not to know or open up to others. This is a devastating flaw that generates extremism. To defeat it, it is necessary for people of good will to unite. The latter must try to open new avenues of dialogue to arrive at understanding. Meetings like this one in Delhi are crucial because they put in contact those who, on both sides, strive to achieve peace." (NC)

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