Dialogue

Dialogue is a way of exploring the roots of the many crises that face humanity today. It enables inquiry into, and understanding of, the sorts of processes that fragment and interfere with real communication. Dialogue is the best way to resolve problems. It is the only way to reach decisions that are acceptable to everybody. Dialogue is the primary means of avoiding, or resolving, conflict. What separates democracy from other political philosophies is the principle and practice of solving differences first and foremost through dialogue. It is a forum where plurality of views needs to be heard. Plurality of views means including all voices in the political debate: men-women, young-old, rich-poor, minorities and indigenous peoples. The ability to listen and understand is sometimes as, if not more, important than our ability to speak. Dialogue promotes the environment of inclusiveness, plurality, tolerance and removes misconception, apprehensions and misperceptions of the contradicting individuals or groups in a society leading to a peaceful and progressive society.

Islamic Research Institute of Social Sciences (IRISS) has a history of arranging dialogues, discussions, seminars and conferences between the different types of divided factions of the society to enable them to understand each other, to remove their misconceptions, doubts and fears of one another, to bring them closer to each other and consequently to reach a productive conclusion which facilitates the atmosphere of peace, love, tolerance and plurality. Dialogue results in the formation of line of actions for the future development of Muslim thought to enable the Ummah to cope up with the rapidly changing environment and society and to meet the requirements and challenges of a dynamic Muslim society.