By IPS Correspondents
ABU DHABI, May 14 2003 (IPS)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-up (ZCCF) has published a study under the title of "Dialogue Among Religions", as part of the Center’s efforts in showing the Islamic viewpoint regarding this issue.

Islam, the study emphasizes, is a tolerant religion that accepts peaceful coexistence and dialogue among different religions. The study stresses that religious dialogue bears effects and influence on the policies of nations. Thus it could lead to solving many political and economic problems, when it is conducted in a serious and genuine way, according to a ZCCF press release.

Chapter one of the study emphasizes that the goal of religious dialogue is to bring religions closer together down the road of formulating a common agreement or compromise.

Chapter two discusses the conditions and exigencies of religious dialogue, putting freedom and independence in conducting this dialogue as the most paramount. To achieve such independence, it is necessary to establish a dialogue, based on democracy and freedom. This may give the followers of different religions the sense and feeling that they are equal.

The third chapter states that Islam is a religion of tolerance, openness, and dialogue. The study concludes that the Islamic viewpoint towards religious dialogue has been characterized by tolerance, namely different faiths do not prevent coexistence among their followers, by self-conviction, and by the idea that the participants in religious dialogue should be men of great knowledge in their religions.

The Zayed Centre, thus, is seeking through publishing this study, to push forward religious dialogue for achieving common grounds for cooperation, the release said.

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