WASHINGTON — Former British prime minister Tony Blair said Wednesday if Muslims and Christians work to understand each other’s cultural and religious beliefs, he believes there would be a good chance for world peace.
If Christians and Muslims work to understand each other, peace could be within the world’s reach. That was the message delivered on Wednesday by Tony Blair, seen here at a 2004 North Atlantic Treaty Organization conference. (Photo courtesy of the White House)
“In religion, we are told to love your God, love your neighbors as yourself,” the former head of the United Kingdom said at a Georgetown University panel on the future of Muslim-Christian relations, adding that too often he sees people view their neighbors as only those with similar beliefs, instead of all of the members of their community.
Blair said both Christians and Muslims had been outsiders at one point in their histories, and that each had wrestled with how their own beliefs defied convention at one time.
“If we can get on, the 21st century world can get on,” he said. “It’s true we are different, but so were our founders.”
Along with former prime ministers of Norway and Malaysia, as well as religious experts, Blair participated in the opening discussion of the A Common Word conference – which aims to foster global peace and security between Muslim and Western societies. Yale University, the University of Cambridge and the Vatican have hosted previous Common Word conferences.
To promote peace among religious cultures, Blair proposed a three-prong plan, urging people to first take the time to understand each other, then use words to show respect toward each other’s cultures and, ultimately, to take action to foster positive relations between cultures.
Taking action was the most essential part, said Blair: “If we show by our actions we are engaged in understanding, that’s what will succeed.”
As an example, Blair explained how the Tony Blair Faith Foundation has established a program connecting kids in culturally diverse schools in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Participants communicate online to discuss differences and similarities in their cultural and religious values, dispelling stereotypes they are often taught.
Political leaders and theologians listen to former Polish prime minister Kjell Magne Bondevik explain the importance of understanding other religious cultures. (Michelle Minkoff/MNS)
Former Polish prime minster Kjell Magne Bondevik, also on the panel, agreed with Blair’s sentiments about action, saying dialogue would help people of differing faiths to understand each other.
“Policy must breach conflict rather than build differences. It requires criticism and self-criticism of all parties involved. Dialogue is the language of pluralism,” said Bondevik.
Blair said the panels taking place during the rest of the conference would be a positive step toward improving tolerance, but that the conversation had to go beyond the ivory tower.
“We’ve got to show that this isn’t just a dialogue among the elites, but that we are building bridges between all people,” he said.