Joseph Cassar writes:
Last Sunday (September 4), the world community of Christian-Islamic Interfaith Dialogue lost one of its seasoned champions with the demise of Libyan intellectual Mokhtar Ihsan Aziz.
Now broadly acknowledged, the need to nurture dialogue and understanding between distinct cultures and religions was barely sprouting 40 years ago. Only people with profound vision understood that with increased contact between peoples, such dialogue was not only important but vital to ensure mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. However, few dared take practical initiatives related to such a complex dialogue.
A good friend of the people of Malta and Gozo, he was undoubtedly among the few who, in collaboration with a number of Arab and Islamic scholars and the World Council of Churches, initiated, nurtured and helped such dialogue evolve and develop.
He was a firm believer that ignorance of the other generates fear and prejudice and, as such, is often the major obstacle to genuine, healthy dialogue. However, even a superficial knowledge of one’s own faith, culture, language and identity hinders dialogue.
Thus, for him, knowledge of oneself was basic in fostering dialogue.
In the various positions of responsibility held over 40 years in various countries, Mokhtar Aziz always promoted the need for a serene, yet profound, knowledge and study of Islam and the Arab identity as a major premise to any inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue.
The second, equally essential, step is knowledge of the other, including the spiritual convictions and cultural traditions that, together, give the other a distinct identity.
Thirdly, one must seek shared principles that unite, rather than the differences that divide in order to establish a discourse inspired by mutual respect without any participant renouncing to what is held dear or sacred.
The academic contributions by Mokhtar Aziz, together with his journalistic writings and his participation and interventions in many international conferences always reflected a deep commitment to the above-mentioned three principles.
He published a number of articles that analyse the socio-political evolution within the Arab and the wider regional and international contexts. His analyses aimed not only at generating awareness but also at pre-empting those conditions that could eventually lead to clashes or conflict.
Humankind has never experienced as rapid an evolution of lifestyles, instant interpersonal and media communications as that being witnessed today. As a result, peoples who cherish their spiritual beliefs, their traditions, their language and their identity often feel threatened. Likewise, the movement of peoples, for reasons of travel or migration, has compounded many of the existing fears often giving rise to reactions that may be radical.
In this stormy sea of change, the true knowledge of self and of the other promoted by Mokhtar Aziz provides anchorage and a sense of security.
As much as challenges are never overcome by burying one’s head in the sand in the hope that the storm blows over, neither are they prevailed over by being charged at blindly.
It is within the wider context of a consistent contribution to promote justice, human rights and mutual respect in nurturing spiritual and civic dialogue that Mokhtar Aziz will be remembered by many worldwide who, like me, had the honour to know him as a mentor and as a friend and the privilege to be inspired by his profound faith, knowledge and wisdom.
My sincere condolences go to the Aziz family in this difficult moment of the loss of a beloved husband, father and grandfather, who truly cherished his family.
May the Almighty welcome Mokhtar to enjoy the blissful eternal peace that all just and truth-seeking people thrive for and merit after a life of helping those around them live in harmony with themselves and with others.