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AMANA MAGAZINE VOLUME 8 ISSUE 2, April 2014 QUARTERLY MAGAZINE CCoonnfflliicctt ,, DDiiaa lloogg uue e a ann dd HH uu mm aa nn DD ee cc ee nn cc y y CONTENTS AMANA Volume 8 Issue 2 Editorial P.3 M. Abdus Sabur Opening the Space for Dialogue and Transformation P.4 Rose Gordon Overcoming Hidden Religious Prejudices and Fostering Interfaith Cooperation through Dialogue P.7 Ekraj Sabur Kashmiris Need to Change Their Mindset P.12 Dr Shabir Choudhry Understanding the Bangsamoro construct and its predicaments P.14 RJ Barrete Main Azaad Hoon (I am free) P.16 Mariya Salim The Quran and Religious Tolerance P.18 Waris Mazhari Book Review: Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet: “How shall I go in peace and without sorrow?” P.20 Jasmine Ferrer Statement of Declaration of First Muslim Youth P.22 Forum in Myanmar 2014 AMANA Magazine is published by AMAN and is part of the program ‘Peace Actions in Asia’, Issued every quarter AMANA TEAM AMANA Magaizne is circulated across Asia in three Country Coordinators: languages: English, Bahasa Indonesia and Thai Abdullah Al Mohiuddin (Bangladesh) The views expressed by the writers in this publication are not necessarily those of AMAN Sohail Ahmed (India) Fanani (Indonesia) Articles in this publication may be reproduced and distributed Mohammad Daraweesh (Jordan) subject to an appropriate credit annotation. Nadeem Fazil Ayaz (Pakistan) A PDF version may be downloaded from www.aman-asia.org Printers : Active Interprint (Thailand), Editorial Team: PT Megatama Pressindo (Indonesia) M. Fikri Pido For more information or to submit articles and pictures, please contact the editor at : Lisa Schenk The Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) Clarence Dias House 1562/113, Soi 1/1 Mooban Pibul, Pracharaj Road Mohammad Abdus Sabur Bang Sue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand AMANA 2 T : (+66) 2913-0196 F : (+66) 2913-0197 magazine E : [email protected] www.aman-asia.org is pressure from the international community. Such Editorial dialogue is very often facilitated by mediators. The Mohammad Abdus Sabur first step is to develop mutual trust in order to seek truth together. To right the wrongs means taking responsibility to continue the process. There will be Conflict, Dialogue and ups and down on the way. Effective dialogue takes place when people involved Human Decency in two or multiple conflicting parties adhere to the principle of human decency which refers to the qual- ity of the human person to treat and respect others Beatrice Popescu , the found- as equals without any discrimination. If we practiced ing editor of Europe’s Jour- these principles, in many ways conflict could be nal of Psychology once prevented. According to Professor Lou Marinoff asked eminent professor Lou only those whose inner conflicts are resolved, can Marinoff , if he ever had be at peace with themselves, and therefore with the been tempted to switch from world. academia to the corporate world in an engaged and In this issue of AMANA, Rose Gordon focuses on engaging manner? Professor self and society, personal perceptions ought to be Lou Marinoff replied by say- submitted for wider scrutiny and enriched with di- ing that the most rewarding aspect of academic life verse experiences in order to be more relevant in is its comparatively generous allotment of time for seeking peace. reflective and creative pursuits. Ekraj Sabur highlights the deconstruction of the state In this world, a majority of people are not directly ideology of forced assimilation of ethnic and reli- engaged in the academic field but it does not mean gious minorities. He emphasizes natural nurturing that being in another occupation, one cannot be re- of diversity and living in harmony. flective and concerned about society and carry out social responsibilities. There are philanthropists as Dr. Shabir Choudhry is meticulously critical of the well as countless social activists and peace workers false premises and promises of the liberation strug- engaged but it will be enriching to have time for gle for Kashmiri people. He personally sees the personal and collective study and critical reflections. future in united Jammu and Kashmir in fulfilling their cherished dreams and aspirations. R J Barrete Philosophy as well as religion inspire us to question, on the other hand raises both the possibilities and seek the truth, and teach us ethics and values to dif- the vulnerabilities of the recently-concluded Frame- ferentiate between right and wrong. In the absence work of Agreement between the government of the of such wisdom it is hard to discern and to be an Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. advocate for justice. The clash between right and wrong is obvious in human society and that leads to Mariya Salim, in her article underlines the promises conflict. of Islam for equality and dignity for all and depicts the real world where low-caste Muslim women live. Some social scientists suggest that conflict is inevi- Last but not least, Waris Mazhari in his article reaf- table in society but conflict needs to be creatively firms that Quran calls for religious tolerance as an transformed so that one party in conflict does not important principle in Islam. Hope these articles will lose but wins together for the greater cause. Towards generate further debate and critical awareness as this process of transformation, dialogue is a must. well as individual and collective actions. To make dialogue meaningful, there is a need to create a congenial environment. Parties in conflict Mohammad Abdus Sabur is Secretary General come to dialogue not so spontaneously. The first of the Asian Muslim Action Network and Asian convincing factor is the self-realization that no one Resource Foundation, Thailand is a clear winner in the battle field. Secondly, there AMANA 3 magazine Opening the Space for Dialogue and Transformation Rose Gordon hile I tend to avoid Can we lessen our inclination to defend our position Wconflict I know its so that transformation can occur? Can we create a a part of life and that ad- space that reduces the need for defensiveness and dressing conflict can increases the possibility for transformation and “polish” us, if we engage mutually beneficial outcomes? in it with respect and care, transforming us Yes. First, as individuals, we need to be willing to from rough gems into entertain the idea that being part of a dialogue mat- jewels. ters that talking with one another matters and that there is the possibility for a mutually beneficial Conflict is a red flag, calling for our attention, in- change, a change that will be “a tide that lifts all forming us that a situation exists that we don’t find boats.” beneficial. But the real reasons for the conflict might be different than we think. Why? Because conflict Secondly, we must remember that conflict arises is often tangled up with misunderstanding. Those when we feel harmed. The perception of harm is misunderstandings can create a cloud of emotional undeniably real to the one who feels it. As individu- intensity that blocks our clear vision of the problem als, ethnic groups, communities or even nations, we and prevents resolution or transformation from oc- might have been prevented from achieving our goals, curring. deprived of dignity or deprived of basic well-being. We might have been robbed of natural resources, However, if we are willing to explore the reasons ignored, misused, mistreated or disrespected as be- for the disagreement, the conflict can become an ing “less than” the other. opportunity to understand ourselves better and un- derstand others better. When this happens and Any attempt to de-legitimize the experiences and everyone is given an opportunity to identify what reasons behind each party’s engagement in the con- needs to change to resolve the conflict, the outcome flict is a form of violence and will trigger more can be mutually beneficial. defensiveness and resistance. Until the reasons for being in conflict and the feelings that inform those What does decency mean in the context of dialogue? reasons are heard, conflict cannot be transformed. Decency is defined in the dictionary as “behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or Dialogue is defined as “taking part in a conversation respectability. “It is also described as “qualities of or discussion to resolve a problem. “ But, to me, it’s honesty, good manners, and respect for other people“ important to recognize that resolving a problem is not the starting point of a conversation, but the end But moral standards are usually left behind during point of our efforts. violent conflict and respectability often gets tangled up in a person’s idea of his reputation or her iden- So, what is the starting point and what does it take tity as being “the good or righteous or misunderstood to create a space, an environment that fosters true party” in the conflict. When we are busy defending dialogue and the resolution of conflict? our reputation or identity, we can’t truly listen. In the presence of defensiveness conflict transformation The starting point is a willingness to enter into a can come to a halt. conversation that offers an opportunity to better understand one another, to more fully recognize our AMANA 4 magazine shared humanity and to address everyone’s concerns larger; but that there’s more room to breathe. In a as respectfully and fully as possible. way the space has gotten larger, and there is more “air” because the tension between people that makes Not only must we be decent, we must be honest. the room feel tight and confining dissipates as re- Not only honest, but receptive. Not only receptive, spectful speaking and listening expands. but willing to take action. That takes commitment and commitment takes effort.

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