By Melvil Jose
New Delhi, Nov 10, 2025: In an era often marked by religious polarization, a new book titled “Pilgrims in Conversation” was launched to build bridges of understanding between Christians and Muslims.
The compilation of interviews by Jesuit Father Joseph Victor Edwin was released on November 9 by Maulana Asghar Imam Mehdi Salafi, Amire Jamiate Ahle Hadith, at the Indian Social Institute in New Delhi.
The event began with readings from the Qur’an, the Gita, and the Bible, setting a symbolic stage for a discussion on the vital role of dialogue in contemporary society.
The book is dedicated to the vision of Professor Akhtarul Wasey, a renowned Islamic scholar whose life’s work has been a source of inspiration for fostering amity between the two faiths.
Father Edwin noted that Professor Wasey’s commitment to Muslim-Christian friendship and cooperation is a continuing inspiration. Professor Wasey, an emeritus professor of Islamic Studies, is a Padma Shri awardee. Wasey was honored for his contributions to Islamic studies and interfaith understanding.
Maulana Asghar Imam Mehdi Salafi, the Ameer of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees Hind, is a prominent Islamic scholar known for his leadership and deep knowledge of the Salafi tradition. His participation in launching a book on Christian-Muslim dialogue was seen by many as a significant gesture of goodwill and a powerful endorsement of the book’s mission.
Saurabh Shahi, a journalist with experience covering the Middle East, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the crucial role of literature and honest reporting in promoting respectful coexistence. He highlighted its importance as a counter-narrative to the growing spread of hatred and division.
Recounting his experience in Syria, Shahi spoke of three ancient villages that were among the last places in the world where Aramaic, the language of Jesus, was still spoken. He described how a cherished statue of Mother Mary, which overlooked the scenic villages, was destroyed along with the communities by Al-Qaeda affiliates.
“The world knew when it was destroyed,” Shahi stated, noting the widespread media coverage of the desecration. He then shared the lesser-known epilogue: the villages and the sacred sites were later charitably restored by the wife of President Assad, a Muslim. “But when it was restored,” he lamented, “and that too by a Muslim, no one knew.”
The program was moderated by Lakshmi Menon, a member of the Delhi Jesuit Province Commission for Interreligious Dialogue, an arm of the Jesuit mission focused on specialized ministries of dialogue and research.
Written comments from Ute Kemmerling, a researcher specializing in the history of Islam in India and Sufi pilgrimage site of Ajmer, were shared with the attendees. She praised the book for its timely and significant contribution to interreligious understanding.
“At a time when religious belonging is, in many places, once again perceived as something that divides, this book reminds us that dialogue and knowledge are essential allies,” Kemmerling wrote. She lauded Father Edwin for bringing together a remarkably diverse group of Christian and Muslim scholars and practitioners.
Her review highlighted the book’s broad thematic scope, which addresses “traditions and mutual respect, gender roles and social inequalities, the role of religion in politics and society – and, time and again, the importance of knowledge as the foundation of dialogue and understanding.”
“Pilgrims in Conversation,” through its diverse perspectives, ultimately shows, in Kemmerling’s words, that “understanding does not arise from uniformity, but from attentive listening and a genuine interest in the other.” The launch served not just as a release of a new publication, but as a reaffirmation of the power of conversation to build a more harmonious world.