Islam and Peace
Progress in Inter-Religious Dialogue
~ 164 ~
Probably the most signal result of this historical
process is that after a long intellectual struggle
religious intolerance has been universally rejected.
Religious intolerance has now been replaced with
complete religious freedom. Today under auspices
of the United Nations all the nations of the world
have signed the universal declaration of human
rights.
In accordance with this declaration religious
freedom has been accepted as the natural birth-right
of all human beings. As opposed to practices in
ancient times, no one now enjoys the right to
persecute anyone on the basis of religion. This is the
change which has confined the sphere of religious
difference to peaceful negotiation.
The effects of this can be seen in all walks of life,
whether religious or secular. Every one of us,
consciously or unconsciously, plays a part in
making religious co-existence a reality.
Interfaith dialogue becoming a part of the historical
process holds great promise for us, as in this case its
success is assured. This is how every great
revolution of history has got under way. Whenever
