Vatican Welcomes Muslim Delegation

Alexis Annitto

I. Vatican Welcomes Muslim Delegation
The Muslim News
3/5/08
http://muslimnews.co.uk/news/news.php?article=14019

II. Summary
Muslim leaders met with Vatican officials to organize a dialogue for interfaith later in this year. Islam and Christianity are starting to see the other’s positive aspects. According to the President of the Italian Islamic Religious Community (COREIS) and delegation member Sergio Yahya Pallavicini the aim to discuss at the interfaith summit would be “a series of common initiatives between the two religions in defense of life, against the processes of secularization, and for the education of new generations.” Muslim leaders are starting to want to create a similar model of representation as the Christians have done with the Vatican as their representation of the Catholic world. The followers of both religions believe in one god and rely on good will and non-violence. Pope Benedict is striving to mend the relationship with the Muslims. He reestablished the Council for Inter-religious dialogue after having infused it with the Council for Culture.

III. Reaction
A) The article relates to the theme development and interactions of cultures because the religions, Christianity and Islam, are setting aside their past and going forward to become as close as “friends” that can be expected due to their history. Islam and Christianity both share similar beliefs of believing in one god and portraying non-violence and good will.
B) Islam and Christianity are similar religions. Both come from the same root which is that each religion’s holy land is known as Jerusalem. They fought a series of battles for their Holy Land known as the Crusades. Muslims eventually had taken back the Holy Land. The Crusades had spilt the two religions apart even more.
C) The point of view of this article is from an insider’s perspective because he seems knowledgeable about the various leaders.
D) The author is clearly in favor of the summit. The bias is evident by the optimistic highlights that he captures in his article.
E) The article was missing comments or opinions from any of the religious leaders. The leaders input would give insight as to their individual goals and intervention in achieving an interfaith dialogue.
F) Although somewhat idealistic, I feel that this objective is a very positive goal which may unite countries. Religion permits people to recognize their similarities to unify instead of disputing their differences.