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| The Idea of Difference |
It is never a bad thing, never a thing to be feared, I believe, to be different in geographical position, in religion. in language or in customs and traditions. Indeed, such a difference is required and my be hoped for. as it works for the achievement of complementarity, for identifying that which we lack but which the others have. This is the way to development. to the complementarity of knowledge. it is hardly benefecial or worth our while to have all people adopt our mode of thinking or go on our own way What is really useful is for each to respect the 'other' and give him his due.
What we have in common is more universal. More comprehensive and more viable : the areas of our differences are too limited to preclude understanding, communion, dialogue, sympathy or fraternity
God, exalted be His name, has decreed that this earth be given to all people, whatever the differences among their tongues, colours and creeds Their unity had been decreed originally in having descended from one man - Adam.
peace be upon him; and they share aunified destiny - the return to God alone. God has ordinated in His wesdom that religions. tongues and colours be different, while learts beat in unison. God Almighty has given each man a mind capable of thinking : it grows richer when directed to perform its proper function, but is blunted when left to lethargy and laxity.