Riflessioni sul Perdono, sulla Dignità e sulla Riconciliazione
Mohieddine Chehab
1. I negoziati di pace, generalmente, sono incentrati sulle dimensioni politica ed economica. Quale è la Sua percezione della necessità di toccare aspetti più profondi e genuini della riconciliazione e come si può ottenere questo?
I believe that isolationism, segregation, and compartmentalization, are some of the worst road blocks to reconciliation. These negative factors are detrimental to reconciliation, because they lead to demonizing and dehumanizing the other. So meeting the other, the different, the foe, or may be the “enemy” is very important to break stereotypes and building bridges. Hence, it is important to meet the “other” in a neutral environment. Prayers are very important if they could be done together.
2. Quali sono le condizioni nelle quali, al di là dell’assicurare gli interessi della parti in conflitto, può essere stabilito un processo incentrato su un senso di equità e dignità?
The ability to make dialogue to society, looking through taI believe that the international community and laws should play a big part in this process. In addition, we need courageous action on the part of NGOs that should help in bridging the gaps between communities that went through conflict or civil strife. As a Muslim mayor of a sector of Beirut, I was able to bring Christian and Muslims to round-table discussions and form alliances with Christian notables in order to break stereotypes and guarantee the rights of my fellow compatriots who were fighting against me in the trenches of the Lebanese Civil War.
he reality either the obvious or invisible one, being patient to confront the obstacles are essential things. We realize that available knowledge treasure has limited capacity to comprehend the social dynamics (memory, trauma, traumatic) that can not be seen only from one dimension due to complications in the inside of it.
3. Quanto il perdono è essenziale alla dimensione della riconciliazione? Alla radice della Sua cultura politica e/o della Sua fede religiosa quali sono i principi che implicano o escludono il perdono? Quali versi o detti che fanno parte del Suo personale patrimonio spirituale possono, nella sua opinione, avere un significato universale
The Qur’an, the Holy book of Islam, makes it clear that, whenever possible, it is better to forgive another than to attack another. The Qur’an describes the believers (Muslims) as those who, avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive. (Qur’an 42:37) and says that Although the just requital for an injustice is an equivalent retribution, those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by GOD. He does not love the unjust. (Qur’an 42:40).
The above verse is a pivotal one in the Quran that advises Muslims to forgive their enemies. Comparing it to the Sermon in the Mount in the New Testament, I find it close to the position of Christianity on this issue. The great Mahatma Gandhi himself applied this principle too. This makes this principle, I believe, universal.
Forgiveness has been an essential factor in the process of healing and reconciliation that I have been leading in Lebanon since the early 1990s. Without forgiveness there is no healing.
4. Il perdono richiede qualche forma di pentimento da parte di coloro a cui il perdono viene offerto? Il perdono ha condizioni o è senza condizioni?
Repentance is very important to achieve reconciliation. Forgiveness should be unconditional. However, justice is very important to keep the credibility of the reconciliation process. No party should feel that it is taken advantage of, and we should keep the transparency of the process.
Concerning the activities I would suggest for a universal council on reconciliation, I believe that the NGO’s experiences in reconciliation and peace initiatives should be taken into consideration and incorporated in any universal council on reconciliation.
In my efforts to work on reconciliation and take peace initiatives in Lebanon, the political, social, religious, and spiritual factors were all used to achieve the goals needed. We have to see the cup half full, and network with people who are working for the same cause, as well as bring in those who are on the fence, bit by bit.