A Message for Our Time — Page 10
10 I slaamnl ter ior Publ mutual relations with other people. Irrespective of differences of race, religion or social background, we are united as human beings and so it is vital that we interact with other people, rather than isolating ourselves or only mingling with members of our own particular community. In all respects, dialogue is crucial to breaking down barriers and increasing mutual understanding and knowledge. For the advancement and evolution of society, and to foster an atmos- phere of peace and togetherness, respectful discourse and discus- sion between people and amongst different communities is vital. Therefore, I hold all of you in great esteem for taking time out of your busy lives to join us here today. Regardless of the fact that most of you are not Muslims, you have accepted our invitation and joined us at this purely religious event, where a mosque is being opened. Thus, I cannot proceed further without praising your high levels of tolerance and respect. Where your participation is a sign of your desire to strengthen your personal ties with members of our community, it also sym- bolises your eagerness to gain a richer understanding of our reli- gion. It illustrates that you are people who are unwilling to blindly accept hearsay or second-hand information. In today’s era, where so many reports are inaccurate, your search for the truth about Islam can only be commended. Rather than accepting what the media says about Muslims or what anti- Islamic powers try to portray, you have come to see for yourselves what Islam means and represents. For this, I applaud you and offer my sincere thanks. You may well be aware that the slogan or motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is, ‘Love for All, Hatred for