Understanding Others is the Beginning of Peace: Sheikh Musa Saidi on Interfaith Harmony

 To Be a Good Muslim, You Should Understand Christians

Seoul, South Korea –  Sheikh Musa Saidi, Former Deputy President of the Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia, shared his reflections in the interview after participating in the 3rd Special Lecture on Revelation Open to All Nations held from October 30 to November 2.

 As one of the invited religious leaders who completed the Bible Experience Program (BEP), Sheikh Saidi spoke about his unique journey of studying the Bible and promoting interfaith harmony.

Sheikh Musa Saidi speaking at the in the 3rd Special Lecture on Revelation Open to All Nations in Korea

Q. During your visit to Korea, you attended the 3rd Special Lecture on Revelation Open to All Nations. Could you share your overall impressions of the visit and the special lecture?

“Being a Muslim, coming from a Muslim background and having studied the Quran, it was an eye-opener for me to begin to understand the Bible itself, especially the prophecies and revelations according to the church interpretation. It opened a new perspective for me.” He shared that studying the Bible Experience Program by Shincheonji Church allowed him to deeply explore the Christian scripture for the first time.

Q. The special lecture invited only leaders who completed the BEP course. What led you to join the BEP, and what key insights or realizations did you gain through it?

“I personally chose to join the Bible Experience Program to gain a deeper understanding of the Christian scripture,” he said. “As religious leaders, we should coordinate and collaborate to promote harmonious living.” He continued, “All in all, the course emphasizes living harmoniously. We may be of different colors or regions, but all of us were created by one God. That’s why we always say, ‘We are one.’” 

Q. As a Muslim leader, studying the scripture of another religion can be a significant decision. What motivated you to embark on this learning journey?

“The Quran says, ‘Are they equal, those who know and those who do not know?’

To be a good Muslim and a good leader, I need to understand my Christian neighbors and what they believe. I am not just a Muslim leader, but a community leader. To lead my people well, I must understand all Christians, Hindus, and others. We want this world to be peaceful. Peaceful coexistence is possible only if I understand you and you understand me.”

Participants from diverse religions attending the 3rd Special Lecture on Revelation Open to All Nations

Q. As you progressed through the BEP, what mindset or personal goal guided you during your studies?

“My purpose of studying the Bible was not to tell who is right or wrong, but to understand my brothers and sisters from the other side. The media often portrays Islam as a terrorist religion, but through this interaction, we see the truth: there are good and bad aspects in every religion.

If we share our talents together, we can make this world a better place to live in.”

Q. How did other sheikhs or Islamic leaders respond when they learned about your participation? Did you experience any challenges or misunderstandings within your community?

“Many of them found it new, but I’ve always believed in interfaith cooperation,” he said, referring to his work with the Interfaith Networking Group (ZINGO).

 “Through HWPL, I took one more step, not to convert, but to understand. I study the Bible to know what others in Zambia believe in.” He added that understanding other faiths helps him show respect when engaging with leaders from different traditions.

Q. You toured the park at Goseong Peace Institute and attended the BEP graduation ceremony. What impressions or reflections did these expressions leave on you?

 “It was amazing. Visiting the park to see the Revelation-themed sculptures helped us consolidate our understanding of the Book of Revelation. From an Islamic perspective, it’s a journey of learning, to see what others believe in and how we can walk together for peace.” 

Sheikh Musa Saidi in front of Peace Park in Goseong

Closing Remarks

“To understand one another is the beginning of peace.

When I understand your faith and you understand mine, then we can live together in harmony, as one family under one God.” 

Sheikh Musa Saidi interviewed in Yeouido, Seoul

Bible Experience Program (BEP)

HWPL’s Inter Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) offers opportunities for learning and dialogue across different religions. In its follow-up program, education was provided for Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Islam. For Christianity, the Shincheonji Church conducted the BEP. The 3rd Special Lecture on Revelation Open to All Nations invited participants who had completed the BEP, linking the two programs.

Interview conducted by Amanda Kim
General Director of Public Relations Department, HWPL Global 08 Branch