Catholics, Muslims re-ignite dialogue

A Muslim-Catholic dialogue committee -- begun in the Albany Diocese in 1999 but inactive for several years -- has restarted in a big way: by holding a panel discussion on the past, present and future of Muslim-Catholic relations.

The discussion, Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m., at the Islamic Center of the Capital District, will bring together four panelists:

* Imam Dr. Ahmed Nezar Kobeisy of the Islamic Center;

* Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui of Masjid al-Hedayah Mosque in Troy;

* Rev. James Kane, director of the diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; and

* Rev. Christopher DiGiovine, director of a lectureship series at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, where he is dean of spiritual life. Muslims serve on the series' board.

New start

"I am excited about it," Father Kane said about the upcoming event. "I'm delighted to be re-beginning relations with the Muslim community."

Imam Sebkhaoui noted that, although the dialogue committee disbanded about five years ago, "dialogue has been going on in different forms" between Muslims and Catholics in the Capital Region.

For example, Catholic groups have visited local mosques, and Muslim groups have held interfaith dinners with their Catholic neighbors.

"The only difference now is that it's becoming restructured, more official," the imam explained.

Eager interest

Imam Kobeisy, who is new to the area, having moved from Syracuse, is eager to continue his personal tradition of being involved in interfaith efforts in the community.

"We would like all religious communities to continue the dialogue with Muslims for the good of the community at large," he stated.

Sparks

According to Father Kane, two events sparked the rebirth of the Muslim-Catholic dialogue committee: the fifth anniversary of 9/11 and the 40th anniversary of "Nostra Aetate" ("In Our Time"), a declaration on interreligious understanding issued by the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.

When Bishop Howard J. Hubbard spoke on the document at The College of Saint Rose a year ago, Muslims in the audience told Father Kane, "We've never heard all the wonderful things this document says about us."

"The ball was thrown into our court" to build on that positive response, said Father Kane, so the Ecumenical Commission invited a new group of Muslims and Catholics to dialogue.

Annual event

This first formal event sponsored jointly by the Ecumenical Commission and the Muslim community is expected to kick off an annual series of discussions. Both imams said this is a critical time in history for Muslims and Catholics to learn about one another.

"We need to understand each other more than ever before," Imam Sebkhaoui stated. "Muslims, many times, believe we're being misunderstood, misrepresented. From our side, the more we understand about other faiths, the more we will be in relationship with them."

As better communication makes the world seem smaller, said Imam Kobeisy, education, politics and other arenas have benefitted. But interfaith relations haven't necessarily improved.

"Religion has been criticized as not having benefitted from globalization," he noted. "Right now, there is a misunderstanding of Islam and mistrust of all religions because of the war" in Iraq.

War and peace

The panelists hope to use the public discussion to "clear up misconceptions about all our religions and make religion a driving force for peace" rather than being blamed for war, he added.

It isn't just the war in Iraq that has led to misunderstandings, said Father Kane. An Oct. 20 speech by Pope Benedict XVI in Germany in which he quoted anti-Muslim remarks by a 14th-century Byzantine emperor led to protests by Muslims around the world.

Local Muslims were also offended, leading both Father Kane and Bishop Hubbard to speak recently at the Islamic Center during Ramadan (a holy month for Muslims) to reassure them that Muslim-Catholic relations in the Albany Diocese were still positive.

Topics of discussion

The panel discussion will be another step toward closer relations between the communities:

* "I'm going to speak about 'What does Islam say and do in relation to other people?' and outline our hopes for the future: better understanding, communication, support for the common good we both believe in," said Imam Kobeisy.

* Father Kane said that he will cover some past "tension points," such as the Crusades, but he will also speak about how the foundation laid by "Nostra Aetate" can take Muslim-Catholic relations into the future.

* Imam Sebkhaoui hopes to "create an atmosphere of learning" for those in attendance. "The more these events are happening, the more the atmosphere will be conducive to learning," he said. "We people of faith need to understand each other better. I'm not claiming that we will be able to solve every problem, but that should not stop us from talking to each other."

(The panel discussion is free and open to the public. The Islamic Center is at 21 Lansing Rd. North, Colonie. Imam Sebkhaoui said that Catholics should feel free to visit local mosques. Since they are places of worship, he hopes Catholics will feel at home there.)

Remembering 'Nostra Aetate'

Writing in The Evangelist on the anniversary of "Nostra Aetate" in 2005, Bishop Hubbard said the document "expresses high regard for Islam, citing its monotheistic worship in accord with the faith of Abraham and Jesus, and its promotion of an upright life and worship of God.

"'Nostra Aetate' acknowledges past quarrels and tensions between Christians and Muslims, and pleads for all to put the past behind us and to work together for a mutual understanding, and for the preservation of peace, liberty, social justice and moral values." (KB)

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