Panel will discuss Abraham

An upcoming panel discussion presented by the Muslim-Catholic Dialogue Committee will explore the similar perspectives the two religions share on Abraham, whose story is told in both the biblical book of Genesis and in the Quran.

"Abraham Our Father in the Quran and in the Bible: A Muslim- Catholic Perspective" will be held June 3, 7-9 p.m., at The College of Saint Rose in Albany. Speakers will be Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui of Masjid al-Hedayah Mosque in Troy and Rev. Christopher DeGiovine, dean of spiritual life and chaplain at CSR; a round-table dialogue will follow.

The two faiths are related through Abraham, Imam Sebkaoui said.

"Spiritually speaking, we both trace our heritage to Abraham," he said. "He was the one who believed in the one true God."

Imam Sebkaoui said that, while both the Quran and the Bible have stories of Abraham and many of the stories are the same, the Quran also includes stories about Abraham's youth.

"There was punishment or trials Abraham went through," the imam said. "This fire led to peace and truth."

Abraham, he noted, didn't become a father until later in life, but then did much to teach his children about the one true God. One story common to both traditions speaks of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God.

People of both faiths can learn much about one another by learning the different stories of Abraham, Imam Sebkaoui said.

"Abraham is a bridge between Christians and Muslims," he stated.

The Muslim/Catholic Dialogue Committee has had other panel discussions in recent years that were well attended; some were filled to capacity, the imam noted.

"The past events have been successful," he said. "We've had good audiences."

("Abraham Our Father in the Quran and the Bible" is free and open to the public. The discussion will be held at CSR's Thelma P. Lally School of Education, 1009 Madison Ave.,
Albany.)

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