A meeting between Christians and Muslims in Seville showed that peace begins when we approach each other with respect, listen to one another, and share what unites us. This simple experience left behind a commitment to continue building fraternity.
On July 12th, the parish of San Bernardo in Seville hosted a meeting that was much more than a visit. Around thirty Muslims from Germany, of Turkish origin and linked to the Hizmet Movement, shared a day of dialogue with members of the Focolare Movement and Living Peace.
The initiative arose from a friendship with Temir Naziri of the Arco Forum association, who has collaborated with Living Peace for years and maintains close ties with the Focolare Movement. His wish was for the group to learn more about this educational approach to peace and to implement it within their own communities in Germany.
The visit began with a personal greeting from the parish priest, Mario Ramos, a Focolare priest, who accompanied the group on a tour of the Church of San Bernardo, explaining the significance of the church and naturally answering the questions that arose. From the outset, the atmosphere was characterized by respect, attentive listening, and mutual interest.
Then came the moment to present Living Peace: how it was born from the experience of Carlos Palma and some of his tools, such as the Peace Dice and Time-Out for Peace, which are now experienced in numerous countries.
The proposal sparked immediate interest. Spontaneously, one of the participants asked if they could roll the Peace Dice and live out the commitment that appeared throughout the day. The chosen phrase was: "We love one another." Those who participated felt that these words simply described what was already happening among them.
They also shared a Time Out for Peace, a minute of silence and inner commitment that everyone embraced naturally. At the end, one of the participants asked to say a prayer and sang it according to their religious tradition. It was a deeply felt moment for everyone, in which each person could express their faith while the others accompanied them with respect and attentive listening.
The farewell was marked by mutual gratitude and the conviction that authentic dialogue doesn't end with a single encounter. When it springs from friendship, it opens paths to working together for peace and strengthens the certainty that, even from different traditions, it is possible to recognize one another as a single entity.
