Discours de l’Ambassadeur de France au Pakistan, M. Régis de Belenet, à l’occasion d’une conférence sur le dialogue inter-religieux
Bishop Andrew Francis, distinguished guests,
Let me tell you how honoured I am, to be the Chief Guest today and thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my views, on an issue that, I believe, is essential in the current global context.
At a time when the great ideologies are collapsing, obscurantism and fanaticism are gaining ground in the world. Faced with the uncertainties of the times and of the world, with a sense of impotence, everyone is seeking strong reference points : one of these is often religion, sometimes in a radical form.
We live in an unstable and dangerous world.
This state of our world drives crises everywhere on the globe and foster extreme reactions : religious hatred, cultural intolerance and violence.
I therefore believe that there is today, maybe more than ever, a need for a dialogue between civilisations and religions. I we can agree on the urgent need for more dialogue, we have yet to determine what conditions are required for it and what is the way forward.
I would like to say a few words on those three different issues :
The need for a dialogue between civilisations and religions.
These days, some feel obliged to prophesy a clash of civilisations in which, they say, we shall see a confrontation between cultures and religions.
Their speech is fuelled by every kind of fear.
But we must not accept the trap set for us by those who wish to see human beings and their beliefs as opposed to each other.
Let us argue for a determination that is political and ethical : one based on reason and tolerance.
While the information revolution has dismantled physical barriers, campaigns in the name of faith may eventually erect new walls between societies and nations. This is the challenge we are facing.
I do not believe the sometime foreseen clash of civilisation is happening ; but I do think there is a risk, if nothing is done. I consider what we are facing today is not a “clash of civilisation” but rather a “clash of ignorance”.
I am sure you all remember last year’s cartoons issue. It gave rise to numerous protests by people who had been hurt by the satiric depiction of the Prophet Muhammad. Some people in the West immediately claimed the legitimacy of those cartoons based on an absolute freedom of speech. But who knew among the non-Muslim westerners that is forbidden in Islam to represent the Prophet ? This is what I mean by ignorance.
France’s highest authorities condemned the publication of those cartoons, believing that the freedom of speech to which we attached the highest importance has to be exercise in a spirit of responsibility and that anything that could disrespect someone else belief has to be avoided.
This ignorance in itself is a gap between faiths that needs bridging. Moreover, ignorance becomes increasingly damaging to interfaith relations, when it creates intolerance and fear of the other. This is what happened after 9/11 and the London’s bombings : Ignorant about Islam, some people believed the message of terrorists who hijacked Islam’s tradition and principles and claim they are acting in the name of a true Islam, which is not at all the case.
There is, in this context, an obvious need for more communication between cultures and religions. We should not be mistaken : it is not an easy task, because emotional response come up easier than a strong urge for understanding, thorough thinking and respect.
If we agree on the urgent need for more dialogue, we have yet to determine what conditions are required for it.
An honest and productive dialogue is not a negotiation ; it is not based on the defence of one’s interest, but should rely on a will to consider the others for what they are.
A dialogue between religions and cultures requires the recognition that all are equal in dignity and in their capacity for mutual enrichment.
This implies the recognition of cultural diversity.
The diversity of cultures and religions is threatened by the steamroller effect of globalisation. It is one of the reasons for the evident tensions surrounding issues of identity in the contemporary world. Defence of diversity is now enshrined in international law, thanks to the signing of the UNESCO Convention on cultural diversity.
Nevertheless, people feeling their culture is being threatened by globalisation, tend to resort to more radical forms of religious beliefs to protect their identity.
Equality also means non-discrimination between different religions. It is particularly true in a Religious state that comprises religious minorities. I know Pakistan’s Constitution protects the rights of religious minorities. I know the efforts made to ensure the implementation of those provisions. We know President Musharraf’s strong commitment on those issues. We have to do all we can to avoid discriminations.
Another condition for this dialogue is obviously respect.
Respect for others, accepting others in their differences from ourselves, an attitude that does not come naturally to human societies.
Respect for oneself, which must involve both confidence in one’s identity and a capacity to turn a lucid look on the past.
Mutual respect for what the others are considering to be sacred.
And finally, respect for the values that are universal, that transcend specific historical experience and guarantee the inalienable rights of each individual.
Convinced of the necessity to act, we need to think about our options. What is the way forward ?
As the French Ambassador to Pakistan, I represent a country that has learned from its history the need to separate spiritual power and temporal power.
Faced with the temptation to combine the two orders, we have found a way to separate two ideals, that of the city of god from that of the city of men. This has been achieved in 1905 by the Act that formerly separates the Church from the State. Because the State is not involved in religious affairs, it guarantees the freedom of conscience and the freedom of worship. This is why we can truly say that our legislation on the ban of conspicuous religious symbols in state-schools, that was often wrongly perceived in Pakistan, is nothing but the sole implementation of a principle now deeply rooted in our democracy. A principle of secularism that allowed religions other than Christianity, Judaism and Islam for example, to find their place in our country. This is today, what allows every citizen to practice his religion with the same freedom and with due regard to law and order.
In promoting more communication between religion, every component of a country has a role to play : every individual, the civil society as a whole, the media, the government.
Education is also an essential condition for this success : children should be made aware of the basics of the different religions, because, from understanding, comes better communication and tolerance. In this respect, a great attention should be paid to the content of the syllabus, both in State and private schools.
Think-Tanks, NGOs like the National commission for inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism, are actively advocating for a dialogue between religions in Pakistan and with the western countries. I noted that the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has designated a former Foreign Secretary, M. Riaz Hussain Khokhar, to study the possibility to set up an international centre for religious dialogue. This centre would be chaired by an international personality to give it the required authority.
I find this initiative very encouraging.
Everywhere in the world, as well as in Pakistan, the media also bear a great responsibility in ensuring that they display a true image of religious issues. They must not yield to the temptation of over-simplification when dealing with sensitive issues such as religious extremism, whatever the concerned religion is.
The media have also a great power in Pakistan and it stands as an evidence of freedom and democracy. The media have a role to play in promoting knowledge and moderation. They need to be fully aware of this daunting responsibility.
Ultimately, the government must create the conditions required for a proper dialogue between religions. It has to ensure that the rule of law prevails over unrest, equality over discrimination, enlightenment over obscurantism. These are the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue to take place.
I know the National commission for inter-religious Dialogue and Ecumenism, under the authority of Bishop Andrew Francis, is committed to promoting religious harmony in Pakistan. I praised him and his colleagues for that and assure them of my full support.
I hope today’s conference will allow the participants to share their views and accomplish some progress in identifying the ways to achieve our common goal.
Thank you.