|
e-mail: info@dialoguesociety.org
“We envisage a world of peace, love and prosperity;
where diversity is not shunned but celebrated;
where communities understand and appreciate one another;
where goodness is performed selflessly
without expectation of reward;
where people have the maturity and resolution
to commit to intercultural, interfaith and
intercommunal dialogue …” The Dialogue Society was established in 1999 by a group of Turkish-Muslim intellectuals,
academics and volunteers as a not- for-profit charitable organisation. The objective of the Dialogue Society is
to promote tolerance, understanding, mutual respected and acceptance of people as they are, between people from all
walks of life. The Dialogue Society therefore actively encourages and nurtures dialogue between followers of different
ideologies, different ethnic communities, adherents of different religions and members of society generally.
The world has become a global village in the 21st century and there is no longer a
local problem, conflict or war which will not in one way or another affect the world at large.
Problems facing humanity as a whole appear more extensive, complex and intractable than ever; rising
ethnic and religious/communal tensions, proliferation of massively destructive weapons, growing numbers of
refugees and mass migration, chronic environmental pollutions as well as natural disasters, terrorism, the threat of
tensions between nuclear powers old and new, on-going wars, crushing burdens of debt, poverty and illiteracy.
For this reason the people of the world need to come together to find solutions suitable for and acceptable
to all. This can only be achieved in so far as we are able to exhibit a maturity and temperament that can accept
as they are, a commitment to try and learn about and from each others' cultures and ways of life, mutual respect
and a resolute determination to enter sincerely into dialogue. We believe that these virtues can only be found in
an educated and civilised person. Hence the Dialogue Society is of the firm belief that in the quest for peace,
education of the young must be given first priority.
In this quest for peace our greatest support is found in the love and
compassion embedded in our nature and disposition as human beings. All religions
preach and encourage love, compassion, forgiveness, understanding and care, not only
for human beings but for all living beings and nature as a whole. These values must be allowed
to prevail if we are to attain peace today and prevent the predicated 'clash of civilizations'
tomorrow. Interfaith and inter- communal dialogue must be sustained in order to avoid this clash.
Our differences are our source of richness, just as the beauty of the rainbow comes from the harmony of
its diverse colours. Our only dogma and taboo at the Dialogue Society is to love, love and hate hatred and
all those who share this outlook are welcome to join the Dialogue Society either as a member and/or volunteer.
Our next event
Whirling Dervishes & Sufi Music
22nd November-London, Hackney Empire
27th November-Oxford,Sheldonian Theatre
If you would like more information about the Whispers of Love event please visit the dialogue society website
|
The Dialogue Society