By Sohaib Saeed
First published in Interfaith Matters, July 2009

Dialogue is an exchange between two or more individuals or parties. The Greek etymology implies the use of words, but we could certainly think about forms of dialogue not involving speech. Indeed, actions – good and bad – famously speak louder than words.

The word also implies mutuality, which is key to understanding why dialogue matters. If more time, effort and money were invested in building understanding through inter-cultural dialogue, there would be less need to invest in weapons that destroy lives and civilisations.

You might enter into dialogue with someone for any of five main reasons. The first is to defend your own views. Perhaps some aspect of your faith has been the object of critique and you wish to demonstrate the appropriateness of your beliefs or religious practice. This is generally a waste of time unless you are confident that the other party is willing to listen and reconsider.

A second reason is to go further and convince people of your beliefs, even to the extent of seeking for the other to convert to your religion. If both sides are approaching each other with this intent, the exchange can be highly charged; but that does not necessarily negate the value of the dialogue if pursued in a respectful manner.

The third reason is more for your own benefit: to understand the other person’s point of view. It may be that you wish to hone your critique of your opponent’s standpoint. Or less cynically, you want to learn from the good in others, as wisdom is drunk from diverse streams. The fourth is to explore common ground and find areas of cooperation, the benefits of which may reach beyond the two parties to the wider society.

Finally, dialogue plays an important role in reducing tension or the potential for conflict. You may meet with your neighbour just to get to know one another, as such interaction and dialogue brings down barriers. Sometimes a hostile person will be satisfied just by feeling he has been understood and his perspective appreciated; indeed, to be understood is a basic human need.