However when this belief becomes rigid and intolerant of other points of view dialogue itself between different groups can breakdown easily. People talk and then go home without learning anything from each other. On the contrary, they may even take away the reinforcement of stereotypes about each other. This can be discouraging.

But even in this situation the benefits outweigh the difficulties. Firstly, the ice is broken and an individual who may have original ideas about other people will confront something completely different when in conversation with the other. Secondly, within each religious tradition there are those who claim to have a monopoly on the truth and only they are right but there are also those who are more accepting of others and capable of reaching out to them while still maintaining their own integrity. Many of these have a mystic bent and most of them see the world through a universalist lens of peace and compassion. Thirdly, given the nature of the world we live in with its endemic religious and ethnic conflict any possibility of dialogue contains the germs of understanding and even the development of friendship. Simple conversations hold the possibility of developing into a relationship of trust where partners are able to adjust their own ideas of faith and tradition and therefore change the world.

Let me offer the “live” example of my friend Judea Pearl, the father of Danny Pearl who was brutally killed in Karachi, the city where I grew up. (As I write these lines I am on my way to Toronto where the people of Hamilton have specifically requested Judea and myself to visit them and assist in easing tensions between the Jewish and Muslim communities there). After the killing, Judea reached out to someone who came from the tradition of the killers of his only son. He rang me from his home in Los Angeles and visited me in Washington DC when he was next in the city. From our early meeting grew a series of public dialogues to create better understanding between Jews and Muslims. More and more Muslims have joined our dialogues across the world and hatred and misunderstanding are therefore checked.

Judea had transformed a shattering personal tragedy into an uplifting example of conversations which led to friendship. An act like this requires courage and imagination – and each one of us has these qualities but we need to express them to change the world. However difficult for Judea – he is once again reminded of the fate of his son every time he comes on stage to conduct the dialogue with me – we are able to honor the memory of that extraordinary young man and emphasize the symbol he has become of hope, bridge-building and understanding. Judea’s example needs to be followed. In this changing complicated, violent and uncertain time dialogue is no longer an academic exercise; it is an imperative.