The supposed "clash of civilizations" has given new impetus to interreligious dialogue involving Islam. Yet the dialogue between Catholics and Muslims in particular has been nothing less than turbulent since Benedict XVI became pope. Our dossier has all the details
The Malaysian Muslim Scholar Chandra Muzaffar
Chandra Muzaffar is one of Malaysia's best-known human rights activists and public intellectuals. While being critical of western global hegemony, he says Muslims have to fundamentally re-evaluate their understanding of Islam and its traditions. By Yogi Sikand More »
Adonis on Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue
In his essay, the acclaimed Syrian-Lebanese intellectual Adonis criticises the monotheist religions' dogmatism and uncompromising claim to truth, blaming them for blocking constructive Euro-Mediterranean dialogue to this day More »
Wolfgang Schäuble, Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior
A dialogue between the religions is absolutely essential for the German State, writes Federal Minister of the Interior Wolfgang Schäuble. It strengthens the foundations of the community, beyond questions of religious claims to truth More »
Third Congress of World Religions
The third "Congress of World Religions" took place the first two days of July 2009 in Kazakhstan. By appealing for more tolerance and cooperation between the religions, the host country wants to raise its profile as international peacemaker. By Edda Schlager More »
Wolfgang Schäuble on the Need for Religion
Germany's interior minister Wolfgang Schäuble has written a short book describing how faith, correctly understood, protects us from totalitarianism and abuse of power. He also addresses how best to integrate Islam in Germany. A review by Lewis Gropp More »
Jesus in Islam
Interview with Father Paolo Dall'Oglio
What are the prerequisites for meaningful inter-religious dialogue? This question has been addressed to Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, who was recently awarded the Euro-Mediterranean Award for Dialogue. An interview by Traugott Schoefthaler More »
Interview with Prince Hassan of Jordan
Prince Hassan of Jordan has been awarded the Abraham Geiger Prize for 2008 in recognition of his advocacy of ecological sustainability, reconciliation and dialogue between the religions. Nasser Jubara and Bassam Rizq spoke with him More »
Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Christian-Muslim dialogue activists are faced with a media landscape where a statement such as "We condemn terrorism" has no news value whatsoever, says Melanie Miehl. In her article she explains why Muslims taking part in the dialogue need to be thick-skinned More »
Catholic-Islamic Dialogue: Interview with Christian Troll
The beginning of November saw the first Catholic-Muslim Forum held in the Vatican – which came about on a Muslim initiative. One of the participants was the Jesuit and professor of Islam Studies, Christian Troll. In an interview with Lewis Gropp, he talks about freedom of religion in Europe and Islamic countries, and the challenges of the Enlightenment for belief More »
The Vatican and Inter-faith Dialogue
The scandal over the Holocaust denier Richard Williamson and the Society of Saint Pius X has prompted a tidal wave of indignant Catholics to leave the church. Representatives of other religions – like the Muslims – are also beginning to question the pope's willingness for dialogue. By Peter Philipp More »
Arab Reactions to the Pope's Visit
Although the Pope's speech in Regensburg still casts its shadow over relations between the Muslim world and the Vatican, Benedict XVI met with a mostly positive reception on his recent visit to Jordan. Details from Fakhri Saleh More »
First Catholic Church in Qatar
The first catholic church was recently dedicated in the Muslim Gulf State of Qatar. Among those taking part in the dedication was Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar for Arabia. He told Ina Rottscheid about the new reality of religious freedom in the Gulf States More »
Iran and the Pope
The Vatican and leading Iranian theologians have reached agreement on a declaration on "Faith and Reason in Christianity and Islam." The paper sends out an important signal in terms of easing religious and political tensions. Reinhard Kleber reports More »
Catholic-Shiite Dialogue
The Vatican and leading Iranian theologians have recently published a joint statement on "Faith and Reason in Christianity and Islam". The initiative demonstrates that Rome is clearly trying to nurture relations with Islam, says Ulrich Ruh More »
Muslim-Christian Relations in Egypt
Relations between Muslims and Christians in Egypt are strained these days. Violent disputes are frequent. Now a film has come out that puts a satirical spin on the religious fanaticism and provides a glimmer of hope for peaceful coexistence. Jürgen Styriak reports from Cairo on "Hassan and Morcos" More »
World Religious Summit in Moscow
More than 150 representatives of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism took part in a three-day World Religious Summit in Moscow. The world's religious leaders exchanged views about the role of religions in dealing with conflicts. By Hermann Krause More »
Islam in Bulgaria
Around one million Muslims live in Bulgaria. Like all religious groups, they enjoyed more freedoms after the political changes of 1989. But the coexistence with Bulgaria's non-Muslim population is not free of political and social tensions. Mirko Schwanitz reports More »
Muslims and Christians in Indonesia
In Indonesia, political and economic crisis have led to increasing tension between Christians and Muslims. Arian Fariborz has been finding out how churches are reacting to the increasing wave of Islamisation in the country More »
Mar Musa Monastery, Syria
In 1983, a Jesuit Father rediscovered an 11th century monastery in the Syrian desert. Twenty years on, it is a place where monks and nuns live together and where Muslim visitors sometimes even pray with Christians. By Christina Förch More »
