Jordan, gateway of Muslim-Christian dialogue

We are challenged to demonstrate, by our words and above all by our deeds, that the message of our religions is unfailingly a message of harmony and mutual understanding. Dear friends, let us unite our efforts, animated by good will, in order to overcome all misunderstanding and disagreements. These are the words that Benedict XVI spoke in his address upon receiving participants from the first meeting of the Catholic-Muslim Forum on November 6th, 2008. They are words that illustrate the Popes attention to the dialogue between Christians and Muslims -- a dialogue that will be consolidated with the papal visit to Jordan, as Fr. Rifat Badr, the official spokesman to the media on behalf of the Catholic Church in Jordan and editor of abouna.org Catholic website, says in this interview."Before coming to us, the Pope founded the permanent Catholic-Islamic Forum in November, 2008. The point of departure was Jordan, from which a letter was addressed to the Pontiff signed by 138 Muslim leaders, led by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan. Therefore, the new breakthrough of Christian - Muslim dialogue began in Jordan. When the Pope is in Jordan and visits the mosque of Al-Hussein Bin Talal, he will deliver a speech to university presidents and Islamic officials in Jordan. We expect this to be the beginning of a new, serious, fruitful, and solid relationship between Christians and Muslims in Jordan. Jordan is the gate through which the torch of a new and positive Islamic-Christian dialogue will be lit; a dialogue focused on the role of religion in making peace and harmony between human beings."

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