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hath made you as ye are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto God ye will all return, and
He will then inform you of that wherein ye differ” (Al-Ma’idah, n. 5:48).
This sura is the penultimate in chronological order in the Koran. This means that this can not have
been cancelled or overtaken by another, according to the Islamic theory of Koran interpretation,
the so-called from the abrogate to the abrogated (nâsikh wa-l-mansûkh). This verse is fundamental
because it states that our religious diversities are destined by God. The result is: “So vie one with
another in good works” as a method of dialogue. This is truly a beautiful choice for concluding the
Letter, because it means that we can live together despite our difference, moreover that God wants
these difference!
Towards the future
This Letter is a first step in dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Often Christians have taken
the initiative regarding dialogue, and they have so done well. It is important that this first steps
continue in this direction with increased clarity, even showing differences and the need for
correction. As the Letter is addressed to various leaders of the Christian world, we can hope that
there will be a reply to this letter, which is the result of an immense effort by the Muslim part.
But this Letter is certainly also addressed to Muslims, even if not explicitly. What weight will it
bring to bear in the Muslim world, considering that priests continue to be kidnapped, apostates
persecuted, Christians oppressed? Up until now there has been no comment from the Islamic side.
But I think that with time this document could create an opening and a greater convergence.
Above all, it is to be hoped that the next step will focus on the more delicate issues of religious
freedom, the absolute value of human rights, the relationship between religion and society, the use
of violence, etc.., in short current issues that worry both the Muslim world (and I would say above
all Muslim people) as well as the West.
For the complete text of the Letter in English see:
http://www.acommonword.com/index.php?lang=en&page=downloads
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Positive Christian response to recent Muslim outreach
must be one of many steps to peace.
December 4, 2007
An unprecedented outreach from top Islamic leaders to Christians is meeting a positive response.
This budding dialogue has the potential to correct misunderstandings and foster trust among each
faith’s followers – which the world sorely needs.
The overture began in October with a letter from 138 Muslim clerics and scholars addressed to
Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders. “The future of the world depends
on peace between Muslims and Christians,” it stated, and called for dialogue among the leaders of
faiths that together account for more than half of the world’s population.
The letter (available at www.acommonword.com) is remarkable for its depth and message. Its
signers represent all major schools of Islamic thought. It quotes from religious texts of Muslims,
Christians, and Jews to show two shared, fundamental beliefs: love of one God, and love of
neighbor.
Last week, the pope responded by praising the “positive spirit” behind the letter and inviting a
delegation of its signers to the Vatican for talks. Just a year ago he angered many Muslims with a
speech that linked Islam to violence. In the United States, the Muslim letter has prompted Yale
Divinity School to lead an effort toward interfaith conferences and workshops in the US, Britain,
and the Middle East.
Certainly the world needs these endeavors. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, opened a wide
rift between Christians and Muslims. Many Muslims now mistakenly believe the “war on
terrorism” to be the West’s war against Islam. In Europe, tensions between Muslims and