From left: Zeenat Shaukatalli, Homi Dhalla, Narendra Desai, Ram Puniyani

I attended an Interfaith Hindu Muslim dialogue on the 10th of June 2011 hosted by the Wisdom Foundation and Foundation for Unity of Religions (FUREC) at Homi J. Taleyarkhan Memorial Hall.

Some points discussed:

1) No peace amongst nations without peace amongst religions.
2) What is common between us? We have one Sun and one God.
3) Due to rift among religions/nations 110 million people lost their lives in the last century.
4) Sufis have played a great role in building bridges.
5) Gayatri Mantra is very similar to one in the Quran
6) Dara Shukoh wrote about co-mingling of two oceans
7) 3 Editions of Bhagvad Geeta were sold out in Pakistan.
8) Ignorance leads to prejudice.
9) 3 Lessons from 3 major religions:
Hinduism: Vasudeva Kutumbakam (World is one family)
Christianity: Love thy neighbour as much as yourself.
Islam: If we do not care for our neighbours needs, heavens doors will close on us.