"Dialogue of the Heart and Mind"

Thirty-eight leading representatives of Islam offer Christianity a "dialogue of the heart and mind." We should take this offer seriously, says Peter Philipp in his commentary

An open letter to Pope Benedict, published in the Internet and signed by grand muftis from nine Islamic states and important religious scholars from another ten states, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, calls for Muslims and Christians to distance themselves from the "anger on the streets" and to enter into an open dialogue with each other based on respect and understanding.

Only stubborn, hardcore opponents of Islam maintain that such a readiness to engage in peaceful dialogue does not exist among Muslims. And yet not one of the men who signed the letter is expressing a view that is in any way new for him.

But that so many moderates and level-headed religious leaders and scholars from so many different countries, such as Iran and Morocco, Kosovo and Malaysia, Turkey and Russia, have come together to develop and publish a joint position is a new phenomenon.

It is a new phenomenon worth taking note of, for thus far such voices of reason have only been heard as single and isolated voices which have immediately gone under amidst the noise and tumult generated and staged on the streets by fanatics and their blind followers. Of course it still remains to be seen whether and to what extent the appeal by the 38 Muslim leaders can influence and counterbalance the fanatics.

Thus it would be very useful, for instance, if the open letter was published not only – as has been the case so far – on an American Internet site, but also found the greatest possible dissemination in the countries of the men who signed it.

For although this letter is addressed to the Pope, the message of the letter is also directed at Muslims around the world – without differentiating between nationalities and irrespective of the perpetual rivalry between Sunnites and Shiites

Of course the dialogue offered or called for should not be limited to the theological level:

It is not first and foremost about reaching a mutual understanding among "men of the book" on religious and theological questions, but rather that they should set an example for the broad masses, who – in Islam as in Christianity – know nothing about one another, fear one another, polemicize against one another, and even engage in violent acts against one another.

The letter of the 38 Muslim experts should thus be understood as a sociopolitical call for a dialogue that both sides are in dire need of.

Such a dialogue – at least since September 11 – has been increasingly called for in the Christian-oriented West. On closer inspection, however, such calls have thus far not amounted to much more than the demand to Muslims: It is finally time for you to become like us.

And despite a real flood of events promoting dialogue, the two sides all too often talk at cross purposes. The Muslims have to put up with the reproach that they have made it easy for their Christian critics, because they lack unity and – just as the Christians have done – demand something from the other side without really offering anything in return.

The letter of the 38 Muslim experts is an offer. We should take it seriously and respond. Not only the Pope, but also ordinary people in Frankfurt, London, and Islamabad.

Peter Philipp

Translated from the German by Nancy Joyce

Qantara.de

Benedict XVI's Statement on Islam and Reason
The Mistakes of the Pope and the Mistakes of the Muslims
Both Pope Benedikt XVI and the Muslims made some mistakes in their recent skirmish. But now it's time to forgive and forget, since Christians and Muslims have much more important challenges ahead, writes media scholar Khaled Hroub

Benedict XVI's Speech on Faith
Science is the Real Target
A deeper reading of Pope Benedict's Regensburg speech suggests a message that Catholics and Muslims can share, says Ehsan Masood: that modern science must make room for theology

Benedict XVI's Speech on Violence and Faith
Pope Sparks Anger among Muslims
Pope Benedict XVI returned to Rome after a six-day visit to Bavaria. While the trip was mostly personal, remarks he made about Islam have Muslim leaders around the world calling angrily for an apology. Louisa Schaefer and Jane Paulich report

www
You can download the letter to Pope Benedict here