What about Dialogue across Religions?

Some people of various religions may hesitate to participate in “dialogues between religions” believing that this kind of dialogue means subjecting one’s religion to be questioned by the others or to give up parts of their religion. This assumption is not true, simply because this dialogue is not actually between the religions but between their followers. In general, dialogue under this name could mean:
1. Mutual acknowledgement of each other’s religion being a true religion. This kind of acknowledgement is usually rejected by the missionary religions such as Christianity and Islam, because if they accept that, why do they waste efforts and money to invite the others to their own religion? Perhaps any mutual effort to promote both religions together undergoes this type of dialogue.
2. Mutual acknowledgement of the right of each other’s religion to exist and to exert some effort to find peaceful ways for coexistence and to develop cooperation in the fields of mutual interests. Islam certainly encourages this kind of dialogue.
3. Each party trying to persuade the others with their own religion believing that their religion is the one that secures felicity in both lives for humanity. If we look carefully at the efforts of God’s messengers (peace and blessing be upon them all), we find that their efforts are nothing but initiation of this kind of dialogue. It is their duty as well as the duty of all preachers. Dialogue is the best environment for preaching, because the minds are usually at peace and are more ready to comprehend the other party’s opinion and evidences.
4. Spontaneous or casual dialogue, which is built in the daily life activities where the participants utilize the verbal and non-verbal means of communication.