A book authored by a Vatican cardinal and published by the New Delhi-based Islamic Studies Association aims to help Christian readers discover and contemplate the spiritual gems found in Quran, the holy book of Muslims.
Emeritus Professor Akhtarul Wasey of the Jamia Millia Islamia on September 3 released the booklet “Journeying with Muslims: Listening, Praying and Working Together” at a program joined organized by the Indialogue Foundation and Indian Social Institute along with the Islamic Studies Association.
The book was written by Cardinal Michael Louis Fitzgerald, one of the foremost Catholic scholars in the field of Christian-Muslim relations.
The 85-year-old cardinal served in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue as Secretary between 1987 and 2002 and then president for the next six years.
While launching of the book, Wasey thanked Cardinal Fitzgerald for offering the “wonderful” text. He further said that in Journeying with Muslims, the Cardinal proposes Christians could accompany their Muslim brothers through reading and reflecting on the passages of the Qur’an without compromising their identity as Christians.
Since the Qur’an lies at the heart of Islam, the new booklet helps Christians to enter heart-to-heart dialogue with Muslims. This idea came from the cardinal’s long association with the Muslim world, his deep knowledge of Islam and Muslims and his deep commitment to his Christian Faith.
“It is a bold idea since booklet invites Christians to get familiarized with selected texts from the Qur’an by praying with them,” Wasey added.
Jesuit Father Denzil Fernandes, the executive director of Indian Social Institute, urged the gathering to explore the common areas of convergence between the two great faiths to work together for justice and peace in the world.
Indialogue Foundation secretary general Behzad Fatmi pointed asserted interfaith dialogue as a must today. “Dialogue is the first step in establishing a healthy society. Dialogue avoiding the polemical arguments, gives precedence to common points, which far outnumber polemical ones,” he explained.
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