Social Justice As A Focus For Christian muslim Dialogue
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Date
2003
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
Our world today has become a global village whereby you can communicate with
another person who is far away as if he is next to you. This is due to advancement in
science and technology. We can call this advancement a 'relationship' in which we relate
to each other easily. We are relational being and therefore in spite of all our differences in
colour, race, language, tnbe, culture or religion, we remain relational and united, in front
of our Creator. For this reason, being relational does not come from ourselves but as a gift
from God and hence, it is unavoidable.
Being relational is our way of life, our vocation. Being relational is one of the
characteristics of God towards us. By God creating us in His own image. He shows us a
beginning of a particular relationship. God speaks to His people and His people respond to
Him. This relationship can be called 'vertical relationship.
There is also a 'horizontal relationship whereby, being created in God's image, we
take God's character of communion thus become relational being to each other. We
actually become social human beings. We end up in a society, building social institution.
which helps us to be relational. These societies differ from one place to another depending
on demands of the environment. Such societies or institutions may have some conflicts
and even wars, which may be psychological or physical.
From this point of view, dialogue is encouraged to ease these tensions and
therefore to continue living together in a way that God want us to live. Human beings are
also different but it is through dialogue that they are able to live together and to respond to God's call, which is being in communion with Him. Without dialogue human beings
cannot achieve anything. We are called for a dialogue with each other, firstly between God
and ourselves, secondly between ourselves, so that all may' be one people as God is One
On 17:21).
Considering the above fact, my essay will be based on the social justice as a focus
for Christian Muslim dialogue. There are many sections that can be dealt with and thus I
chose social justice because it affects the whole of our daily lives in the society.
My pastoral experience brought me into direct contact with Muslims in Senegal
and Mauritania. This experience has kept challenging me day after day and hence I saw it
better to know more about Islamic religion in depth.
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Keywords
Social Justice, Dialogue, Christian muslim, Muslim Writers on Dialogue, Al-Zakat, saum, Al-Salat