The Cover Story theme "Interreligious Dialogue" (IRD) was chosen in the light of the theme proposed by the Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Team (PMPT) for the month of October, which is "Building Relationships with People of Other Beliefs".

While preparing the editorial for this month's issue, I came across two interesting facts.

Fact 1: In browsing through the past issues of CANews, I discovered that the theme for the September 1999 issue was interreligious dialogue. Now, almost ten years later, CANews revisits this theme.

Fact 2: In July 1999, a colloquium on interreligious dialogue with the theme "Harmony through Dialogue" was held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Now, about ten years later, that is, in October 2009, the "Peninsular Malaysia Conference on Ecumenical and Interreligious Ministry" will be held at the same venue.

I wonder. Is the fact that CANews is revisiting the theme of interreligious dialogue after almost 10 years a coincidence? Is it by chance that another important conference promoting interreligious dialogue is being held?

Looking at certain recent events, such as, the controversy regarding the use of the term Allah, the act of the Al-Islam journalist desecrating the Body of Christ, the displaying of a cow's head as a sign of protest against the relocation of a temple in Shah Alam, it would be easy to scoff at and even ridicule the very notion of interreligious dialogue.

Increasingly, we may become doubtful about the necessity and the possibility of any form of dialogue with people of other faiths.

"Why dialogue when others are not bothered to listen to us?" "What's the use of dialogue when one side keeps dominating the other?

"Why waste time at promoting interreligious dialogue when our efforts seem not to bear fruit?"

Nothing happens by chance. I believe that the current issue of CANews and the conference to be held this month, as well as other efforts at interreligious dialogue are works of the Holy Spirit. They are signs that He is prompting us to be vigilant against giving in to a sense of hopelessness, pessimism and negativity when speaking or thinking about interreligious dialogue. In the face of challenges and obstacles, the Spirit of God reminds us never to give up on this important mission of the Church.

In fact, every effort, however small or insignificant as it may seem, made in promoting dialogue among people of different beliefs is a step of faith taken by the Catholic Church in Malaysia towards promoting greater religious harmony in the nation.

Whether these efforts have borne or will bear the desired fruits, we may never know. What is important is that each one of us, in our own way, has to continue to sow the seeds of building relationships with people of other faiths. We do so with the trust that God will bring our efforts to fruition in His time and in His way.

Guest editorial by Dr. Steven Selvaraju, STD