By Arul Gnanapiragasam

New Delhi: Jesuits engaged in Christian-Muslim dialogue around the globe addressed contours of Christians’ theological dialogue with Muslims in an international webinar organized by the Delhi-based Islamic Studies Association.

The discussion on October 31 was based on a research paper titled “How Could Theological Dialogue with Muslims Impossible?” by Jesuit Father Dan Madigan, professor of Theology and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University, Washington DC.

The essay affirmed that since the Vatican II profoundly affirmed that Muslims “together with us adore the One and Merciful God,” and it is too late now to say the theological dialogue is not possible.

The essay discussed that far from being impossible, theological dialogue with Muslims is inescapable. Further Father Madigan discussed three pertinent questions on theological dialogue with Muslims, namely: Why particularly with Muslims? Who should be involved? How do we go about it?

These questions were responded to by Jesuit Fathers Victor Edwin of Delhi, Jean-Marc Balhan of Ankara, capital of Turkey, Greg Soetomo of Manila, capital of the Philippines, and Emiliano Stornelli of Rome.

Their responses depicted the historical journey of dialogue between Muslims and Christians. They affirmed along with Father Madigan that only in an attentive sustained dialogue can we discover whether and in what way the Vatican Council’s assertion is true.

Jesuit Father Xavier Tharamel, who summarized the conversations, reminded the participants that genuine dialogue has to consider both similarities and differences. Recalling Jesuit Father Christian W Troll’s title, Dialogue and Difference, Father Tharamel pointed out that Christians and Muslims engaged in theological dialogue must recognize what is common at the fundamental level and must not settle for what is superficially common in their religious traditions.

He emphasized that for a genuine dialogue requires a certain theological hospitality inviting the other into theological homes rather than meeting on neutral turfs.

Ravi Nandan Singh of the Delhi University moderated the program that the participants found was “a truly interfaith fare for reflection and prayer.”