A Culture of Peaceful Coexistence

Sinopse

This brief review of the approach of Islam towards peoples belonging to cultures and religions other than its own, illustrated with a study of cases and examples from the early Islamic history as well as Ottoman period, reveals that it had a genuinely “pluralistic” perspective. This is, in fact, the spirit behind the centuries-long peaceful coexistence of peoples of different religions and cultures. The multinational, multicultural and multireligious system that was established, ensured tolerance and harmony among its peoples.
The spirit and philosophy behind the Islamic pluralism in general and the Ottoman millet system in particular which made them function efficiently and successfully for centuries have much to say on our modern problem of peaceful coexistence. If this historical legacy is considered constructively, particularly its religious and ethnic tolerance, significant lessons in building a peaceful and humane future could be derived.