The Sunday Mail
THE Cultural Centre of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Zimbabwe has embarked on an inter-religious dialogue programme to promote synergy and tolerance with the aim of promoting socio-economic development.
The Centre for Inter-religious Dialogue of the Iranian Organisation of Culture and Islamic Relations was founded for different faiths to identify common ground.
Head of the Cultural Centre, Dr Mohsen Shojakhani said with synergy and tolerance, nations will realise socio-economic development.
“The objective is to bring people of different faiths, especially the Abrahamic faiths which include Judaism, Christianity and Islam closer together because there are a lot of points that are common between these three religions.
“Not only these three religions share similar things, other religions practised across the world also have things in common. These similar points can serve as a platform to avoid any misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts,” Dr Shojakhani explained.
While the first centre for religious dialogue was introduced 27 years ago, Zimbabwe has hosted two programmes on a regional and national level since last year.
Dr Shojakhani said dialogue will enable different faiths to find the common beliefs to improve relations.
He added that ignorance of one’s own faith and that of others results in fanatic and extremist behaviours.
“There are differences of opinion but that doesn’t mean you should condemn others. In fact, we should try to understand and uplift each other.
“That is the reason why we have themed this year ‘Religious Synergy and Tolerance and Socio-economic Development’.
“Without this synergy, it’s impossible to have socio-economic development. Where it is not there, it creates problems like it has done in many parts of the world. Wherever people understand each other, they become more tolerant,” Dr Shojakhani said.
The regional dialogue hosted by Zimbabwe last year brought representatives of different faiths from countries like Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Cyprus and the Islamic Republic of Iran, among others.
Locals from organisations such as the Greek Orthodox Church in Zimbabwe, ACCZ, Roman Catholic, senior University of Zimbabwe lecturers and Evangelicals also participated.
Dialogues have also been held with the Vatican, St Gabriel Institute of Austria, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Swiss Bishops Conference, World Council of Churches, Middle East Council of Churches and the Armenian Church.
The Anglican Church, Jewish Community, Mennonite Christians in the United States, Buddhists of Thailand, Hindus, Zoroastrians and the Assyrian Christians have also taken part in the dialogue.
