Dalai Lama calls for respectful ‘dialogue’ with Islamic State
Jessica Chasmar, The Washington Times | December 8, 2015
The Dalai Lama says respectful dialogue with the Islamic State is the only way to defeat the terrorist group.
“Every man has his own religion and its truth, but in a community there must be so many religions and so many truths. Islam is a religion of peace. Those who are intolerant harm their own faith and their own brothers,” the Tibetan spiritual leader was quoted as saying in an interview reported Monday by the Italian daily La Stampa, Agence France-Presse reported.
The Dalai Lama went on to say “there has to be dialogue” with the Islamic State in order to better understand it.
“Through dialogue. One has to listen, to understand, to have respect for the other person, regardless. There is no other way,” he was quoted as saying. “We must do it with your heart. Be compassionate. Educate. Germany has been very generous to accept refugees, feed them and dress them, but now will have to educate them.”
The Dalai Lama is not the first religious leader to call for dialogue with the Islamic State. Pope Francis suggested last year that his “door is always open” for communication, though he expressed skepticism at whether such talks with jihadis are possible.
