Dialogue is the cornerstone of development of a society, Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi, Chairman of the World Federation of Muslim Ulema, said Tuesday. Meaningful dialogue helps Muslim minorities to acquaint people with Islam as well as enables them to coexist in the society. He said a new era has begun for migrant Muslims living as minorities in non-Muslim countries. Different phases of this era include a feeling of identity, awakening, action, building, localization and interaction, Dr. Al-Qaradhawi was quoted by Okaz as saying. He pointed out that Muslim minorities are now in the phase of positive interaction with the society they live in. With this new approach, it has become impossible for these minorities to remain away from the mainstream, he said warning against confrontations with the majority communities in their respective countries. Al-Qaradhawi said Muslim minorities are now standing on a solid ground, have self-confidence and pride and are capable of maintaining their identity, defending their existence, highlighting its characteristics and presenting the civilizational message to the mankind. Meanwhile, Dr. Ibrahim Jao, a leading Islamic figure in Taiwan and member of MWL's Trustees Council, has said dialogue eradicates ignorance and impurities from minorities' understanding. "Muslim minorities contribute effectively and interact with the Muslim Ummah. He also lauded the initiatives of some Muslim countries, primarily the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in holding symposia and conferences in the non-Muslim or non-Arab countries. The results of these conferences encouraged the Muslim minorities in taking positive steps at several levels."These efforts have laid the foundation for further successful inter-civilization and intercultural dialogues," Jao said. He said the dialogues held by a number of Ulema and Islamic organizations with followers of other religions have become a role model for Muslim minorities. He said interfaith dialogue achieves several objectives including bringing the concepts closer, removing the impurities, eradicating ignorance and misconceptions resulting in insults against Muslim minorities. It also establishes relations with others for the exchange of mutual interests and understanding. Jao said Muslims in Taiwan have adopted dialogue as a way to coexist in the society. "They are living in harmony despite their small number and are enjoying the freedom to practice their religious rites. They have mosques and centers for carrying out different religious activities.The Muslim minority in Taiwan interacts with others on different occasions while maintaining its creed (Aqeedah). Muslim clerics in Taiwan participate in cultural activities of the different segments of society," he said. __
