Dialogue of Religions
All topics-
After the Islamist attacks in France and Austria
"Placing Muslims under general suspicion is not the solution"
Rather than suspecting Muslims in general, we need to co-operate more with Islamic scholars, Muslim congregations and associations, writes Muhammad Sameer Murtaza in his commentary, invoking the power of selfless love – charity – that unites Christians, Jews and Muslims
-
Jews, Christians and Muslims
"We are in dire need of a culture of dialogue"
Berlin's "House of One" project, instigated by Jews, Christians and Muslims, will finally begin to take physical shape in early 2021, following a lengthy period of preparation. With the terrorist attack in Vienna fresh in their minds, the representatives of the three world religions feel uniquely challenged. By Christoph Strack
-
Relgions for Peace in Lindau
"Women are the ones who ensure religion survives"
Organised by interfaith NGO Religions for Peace, an international conference in Lindau on Lake Constance is dealing with the peace-building role of women inspired by the faith of their respective religions. Some 600 participants from around the world meet virtually to discuss the central challenges of our time. By Christoph Strack
-
On the death of Matthias Wagner, founder of the Oriental Summer Academy
Mecca of Arab music in south-western Germany
Musicians from Morocco to Iraq have been crossing paths at the Oriental Summer Academy in south-western Germany for ten years. Matthias Wagner, who founded and directed the academy, recently passed away after a brief serious illness at the age of 68. An obituary by Stefan Franzen
-
Book review: Michael Muhammad Knight's "Muhammad's Body"
The Prophet, a figure central to Islam's inherent complexities
In his latest book, "Muhammad's Body: Baraka Networks and the Prophetic Assemblage", Michael Muhammad Knight delves deeply into the idea and belief that Muhammad's body has blessed people both during his lifetime and after his death. By Richard Marcus
-
Tehran's Hasan Abad, where four religions co-exist side by side
-
Tehran's Hasan Abad, where four religions co-exist side by side
For about a century, a Mizrahi synagogue, an Armenian church, a Zoroastrian temple and a Shia mosque have been serving their followers in a small neighbourhood in downtown Tehran. By Changiz M. Varzi
-
2020 Singapore Art Week
Of spirituality in a contemporary age
How to talk about spiritual matters in a highly secularised, hyper-pragmatic society? This was the question artists exhibiting at the Stamford Art Centre in Singapore grappled with during the 2020 Singapore Art Week. By Naima Morelli
-
Christmas in Lebanon
Revolution under the Christmas tree
Beirut usually sparkles and dazzles at Christmas time. This year, marked by major protests, however, everything has been turned on its head: there is a distinct lack of Christmas in Beirut, while in Tripoli, a Christmas tree has been erected for the first time ever on the main square, Sahat an-Nour. Hanna Resch reports from Lebanon
-
Jewish-Muslim dialogue
Rabbis and imams together
In an innovative move for both religions, European Jews and Muslims have committed to standing up in solidarity more often. The aim is to combat the resurgence of right-wing extremists in Europe. By Christoph Strack
-
Interview with Iraqi expert Saad Salloum
Celebrating religious diversity in Iraq
Dedicated to preserving Iraq's diversity, which he considers the country's real capital, Saad Salloum has launched a new institute to combat hate speech and change the Islamic religious discourse. Interview by Gilgamesh Nabeel
-
Abrahamic Teams in the MENA
Interfaith dialogue – a painstaking process
The declared goal of the Abrahamic Teams is to improve how Jews, Christians and Muslims interact with and live alongside each other. The project, which originates in Germany, is now being implemented in Israel, Egypt and Morocco too. But, as Claudia Mende found out, interfaith dialogue does not progress quickly