Last Thursday evening, the announcement that the cardinals in Conclave had reached an agreement and that Leo XIV was the new pope found a group of Christians and Muslims together in a local mosque, reflecting on dialogue and interfaith relations. The ‘habemus papam’ excitement somehow helped us move forward from a period of mourning and sadness following the passing of Pope Francis. The late pope was a man of dialogue and a tireless advocate for peace, highly respected and admired by Muslim friends.
The gathering was the second in a series designed to celebrate the 60 years since the publication of the Vatican II document Nostra Aetate. The Columbans have helped to organise this series of events. The focus of the evening was the lessons and challenges facing Christian-Muslim dialogue as we continue to implement this document’s ambitious vision of unity.
The event was skilfully chaired by Shabana Parveen, trustee of the Bahu Trust and mother of three. Shabana introduced the three keynote speakers: Bishop David Evans (RC Archdiocese of Birmingham), Sheikh Mohammad Shomali (expert in Catholic-Shi’a engagement), and Imam Mohammad Asad MBE (Birmingham Central Mosque). Their insightful presentations were followed by a lively group discussion session, in which participants had the chance to respond to the talks and prepare questions for the speakers.
In his inaugural speech, Pope Leo spoke forcefully about the need to build bridges through dialogue and encounter—efforts that “unite us all to be one people.” In the same vein, participants agreed that a recurrent theme throughout the evening was the necessity of searching for our common humanity in order to build unity and challenge prejudice, fear, and hatred.
This successful event was organised jointly by the Bahu Trust, Columbans in Britain, the Focolare Movement, and the Archdiocese of Birmingham Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue.
An extract of a LinkedIn post shared by Imam Mohammad Asad on 9th May 2025.
In the run up to the 60th anniversary of the ‘Nostra Aetate’ document which will take place later this year, I was honoured to speak as part of the Muslim-Christian Dialogue today, about challenges and opportunities in our relationships.
Nostra Aetate,” meaning “In Our Time,” is a papal document from the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) that outlines the Catholic Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions, including Islam. It affirms the shared humanity of all people and calls for dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect between different faiths.
Amongst other things I spoke about, I also highlighted that the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in southeast Asia which holds over 200,000 congregation and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Jakarta, just across the road, promote interreligious dialogue in the Muslim-majority country – a sign of fraternity and religious diversity that inspires visitors to Central Jakarta. I was fortunate enough to visit these iconic places whilst on my visit to Indonesia. It was lovely to hear from co-speakers Bishop David Evans and Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali from Iran (online).
Extracts about Islam and Muslims from Nostra Aetate;
The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honour Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the day of judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.
Since in the course of centuries not a few quarrels and hostilities have arisen between Christians and Moslems, this sacred synod urges all to forget the past and to work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom.
