Walking Together: Christian Mission and Muslim Friendship

Fr Joseph Victor Edwin SJ

How do my Christian friends view my engagement with Muslims? I am often ask about my experience with Muslims. I tell them that I believe that I've been called by the Church to immerse myself among Muslims. The word "among" is key to understanding my mission. My purpose is to witness Christ's love among them. Over the years, I've become increasingly convinced that it is Christ's love that drives us Christians to reach out to everyone, beyond through the boundaries of the Church (Cf. 2 Cor 5:14). Pope Leo points out that for the Catholic Church, interreligious dialogue is more than just a strategy or a tool; it's a way of life-a heartfelt journey that transforms everyone involved, both the speaker and the listener. Many of my Christian friends encourage my work and provide support.

While some find it challenging to see the importance of engaging with Muslims, they remain open to discussing it with me. In our conversations, I emphasize that Muslims deserve our admiration for all that is true and good in their worship of God (Ecclesiam Suam 107). I also remind them of St John Paul II's teaching that both Muslims and Christians should recognize and nurture the spiritual bonds that unite us, working together to promote peace, freedom, social justice, and moral values for the benefit of everyone. A small minority, however, believes I'm spinning my wheels.

Listening with Love: Heart of Christian-Muslim Dialogue

Reflecting on my experiences with Muslims, I've realized that relationships are at the heart of meaningful dialogue. Muslims are incredibly warm and hospitable. I have always felt welcomed during my visits to various Madrasas. Whenever I approached them with questions, they were more than willing to teach me. They have supported my efforts by introducing me to Islamic institutions and scholars when I organize exposure trips for my students. Their positive attitude has inspired me to deepen my commitment to Christian-Muslim dialogue.

I teach about interreligious dialogue and Christian-Muslim relations to young Christian students-many of whom are preparing for ministry in the Church. Using the words of Pope Benedict XVI, I emphasise that the source of the Church's mission is Divine Love. This love is revealed in Christ and made present through the action of the Holy Spirit. And this love encourages us to listen to others and pursue collaboration for the common good.

I call the first step in engaging with Muslims "encounter." We meet others who may hold different beliefs and practices. If we're not careful, these differences can lead to awkward silences or heated debates fuelled by past prejudices. However, we learn that differences don't have to result in conflict or silence; they can instead lead to fruitful discussions about our shared joys and challenges.

As we reflect on our encounters, we progress to the next stage: "mutual dependence." Here, we begin to recognize our need for one another to live out our faith in a meaningful way. Through our interactions, we can learn valuable lessons about prayer, fasting, and almsgiving from each other, deepening our own beliefs in the process. It's at this stage that students often find themselves more engaged in conversations.

This leads us to the third stage, "honesty," which is crucial. In this phase, we express our faith convictions openly and without hesitation while also listening to the beliefs of others. We come to realize that the love of Christ motivates us, as Christian dialogue partners with Muslims, to share our faith in Christ-the "way, the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6). I encourage students to practice active listening when their Muslim peers share their own beliefs, for through these faith experiences, we can see reflections of our heavenly Father in one another.

Ultimately, this dialogue ushers us into the final stage called "reconciled diversity." Drawing insights from Christian Lives Given to the Study of Islam, edited by Christian W Troll SJ and Chris Hewer, it becomes clear that the sincere differences we hold might one day find resolution by God's grace. While some may find that friendship and mutual respect are sufficient to bridge gaps, others might experience a unique form of koinonia-a deep, mutual understanding that is indeed possible. I remind them that "Allah will judge among you on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which you used to differ" (Q. 22:69).

Walking on Holy Ground: Christian-Muslim Relations in India

Christian-Muslim relations in India have taken on various forms and progressed through multiple stages. There is an ongoing search for authenticity and understanding in these interactions. For our dialogue to be truly authentic and effective, we must adopt an 'insider's view' and strive to appreciate each other from one another's perspective.

In interfaith relations, particularly between Christians and Muslims, it's essential to cultivate a mindset where each participant in dialogue genuinely feels as if they are stepping onto "holy ground" that belongs to the other. This mindset lays the foundation for a deep sense of empathy. It requires us to move beyond judgment and approach another person's story with reverence, recognizing the intrinsic, sacred worth that each individual carries. This shift in attitude is crucial for how we engage with one another.

First, we must embrace 'deep listening,' which goes beyond merely hearing the other side to formulating counterarguments or defending our views. Deep listening involves striving to understand the other's lived experience with compassion. Second, we need to foster respect for each other's identities, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds. Third, we must practice intellectual humility, being open to learning from the experiences of others. Finally, we should remember that the ground we tread upon is sacred, and long before we arrive, God has been present there all along.