How to build Bridges with other communities?
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Aly_shallwani
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:41 am
How to build Bridges with other communities?
I have heard many a times in Farameens that we should build bridges with the other communities can any o­ne explain it that how can we do this?
The most effective way to build bridges is to live by the ethics of our faith. If we are internally united and living within our ethics as per MHI's farmans, then that will send positive vibrations to others and make them want to know more about us and respect us. But if we are disunited and living with hostility between ourselves, then we will send negative vibrations to others and want them to eliminate us.
Also we must tolerate and respect others' cultures, traditions and outlook of life and seek respect for ours. In this respect we must be careful to keep Zaheri matters in Zaheri contexts and Batini matters in Batini contexts and not to say things like 'Imam is God' to people who have no background of Imamat nor of esotericism.
One way that MHI has demonstrated respect for others traditions is the IMARA guidelines for building JamatKhanas. In the guidelines MHI has said that our Jamatkhanas should face Kaba, although this has no relevance in our theology and is indeed irrational from our perspective. This guidance in my opinion is just a bridge building purpose because JamatKhanas are the most visible aspect of us and therefore what we project to others through our buildings expresses our respect and tolerance for their beliefs and perhaps prevent fundamentalists such as Osama to bomb our Jamatkhanas!
Also through our institutions. Making them accessible to and serving all regardless of their background. Having outreach events such as Milad-un Nabi and partnership walks etc.
Also we must tolerate and respect others' cultures, traditions and outlook of life and seek respect for ours. In this respect we must be careful to keep Zaheri matters in Zaheri contexts and Batini matters in Batini contexts and not to say things like 'Imam is God' to people who have no background of Imamat nor of esotericism.
One way that MHI has demonstrated respect for others traditions is the IMARA guidelines for building JamatKhanas. In the guidelines MHI has said that our Jamatkhanas should face Kaba, although this has no relevance in our theology and is indeed irrational from our perspective. This guidance in my opinion is just a bridge building purpose because JamatKhanas are the most visible aspect of us and therefore what we project to others through our buildings expresses our respect and tolerance for their beliefs and perhaps prevent fundamentalists such as Osama to bomb our Jamatkhanas!
Also through our institutions. Making them accessible to and serving all regardless of their background. Having outreach events such as Milad-un Nabi and partnership walks etc.
Last edited by kmaherali on Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: How to build Bridges with other communities?
To reach out, for the beginners: a smile or a handshake.Aly_shallwani wrote:I have heard many a times in Farameens that we should build bridges with the other communities can any o­ne explain it that how can we do this?
I can tell you what it is to be speaking to someone in JK and they switch the language with someone else (to me it is rude) and may be they talk about me or something, I don't know. They can be talking about you in front of you but still be behind your back. I hope you understand what I mean. It does not bother me as I know they are just ignorant people but when they are out in the society and they keep doing this it is not constructive towards building bridges.
Also, simple things as giving, or participating in events or showing nationalism or inviting others to your events not just to ask them for money i.e. partnership walks but to non fundraising events. Tell the Jamet to shed there racist ways... I think even The Library of Congress does not even have room to hold the list/volumes of things that needs to be done. But I think this is a start. Start by reaching out, a smile or a handshake
