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Hiwar.Net
is the website of the Islamic Christian
Dialogue in Lebanon formed by the
Institute Of Islamic-Christian Studies (of
St Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon) in
1998.

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Hiwar.net: A place for dialogue,
where dialogue means speaking to the other
includes the expectation of
a response.

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Hiwar net: A place for true dialogue,
means not a discussion which aimed at
convincing the other but for an open
exchange where one seeks to know the other
beyond all the false images.

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Hiwar.net: A place for
a truthful relation where people seek
to understand each other as they wish
to be understood.

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Our aim is to bring together the Lebanese
youth of all sects to work on for a better
future for our country and nation.

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Our activities range from periodical
meetings and discussions to cross-country
trips.

The second
meeting of an Evangelical Christian-Muslim Dialogue took
place in Tripoli ..., and was heralded by participants as an
important step forward in understanding between two faith
traditions that have often been at loggerheads.

The aim of the gathering in Libya, from 3-6 January, was to
engage in conversation on the themes of "Human Nature and
the Divine Presence." ………Themes addressed in
the three-day meeting included "Sin and Forgiveness in
Islamic and Evangelical Christian Thought," "Salvation and
Atonement in Christianity and Islam," "Religious Freedom and
Persecution: Our Mutual Responsibilities," "Women and the
Family," "Human Rights and the Dignity of the Children of
Adam."

Other panels focused on citizenship and civic
responsibility, racial justice, and the nature of worship in
the two traditions.

Participants came from a variety of Evangelical Christian
and Muslim institutions, including Evangelical colleges and
universities such as Wheaton College, North Park University,
Fuller Theological Seminary, and the Arab Baptist Seminary
in Beirut, Lebanon, as well as national and international
organizations such as World Vision International,
Sojourners, Open Doors, Venture International, and
Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding.

Muslim participants came from the American Islamic College,
Temple University, Loyola University (Chicago), the Hartford
Seminary Foundation, Lake Forest College (Illinois), and the
University of Western Ontario (Canada).

Nationalities represented at the gathering included Canada,
Holland, Great Britain, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria,
Turkey, and the United States

The recently-founded Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue (www.irdialogue.org) hopes to follow the ICCI’s example by facilitating dialogue about social, political and cultural issues affecting religious communities around the world, including those most challenging to discuss.



By approaching contentious issues in an academic manner, it will provide a new means of engaging on matters that often underlie inter-religious interaction but are seldom discussed. In so doing, we hope to provide a stronger basis for collaborative efforts and intellectual cross-pollination between religious communities.

We have wondered what it would be like to have a journalist follow us to three iconic secular and three conservative Christian campuses to note the differences. Where would we be more likely to find the most thoughtful engagement? Which events would demonstrate a healthy democracy? Would there be a difference? John and I gather we would find that "fundamentalists" don't come in one wrapper—that an event at even Bob Jones University might turn out to be more civil than, say, the tolerant University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Few of us are able to curb our dogmatism, nor should we. It sticks to any interesting person like toilet paper on the heel upon leaving the restroom; we only mock it when we see it stuck to others. It is John's and my hope that our friendship—which has become a curious, ever-giving treasure for both of us—will help audiences understand that strongly held differences can actually bring us together in meaningful ways.

On Tuesday, a high-ranking delegation is beginning a rare visit to Rome in an effort to persuade the Pope to endorse what they say are the shared origins and values of the world's two biggest religions.

Their letter, A Common Word, cited passages from the Koran which the scholars said showed that Christianity and Islam worship the same God, and require their respective followers to show each other particular friendship.

The document examined fundamental doctrine and stressed what it said were key similarities - such as the belief in one God and the requirement for believers to "love their neighbours as themselves".

Significantly the letter acknowledged that the Prophet Muhammad was told only the same truths that had already been revealed to Jewish and Christian prophets, including Jesus himself.

After a year using the Islamic principle of seeking consensus, the letter has developed into a "manifesto" and is backed by almost 300 leaders from Sunni, Shi'ite, Sufi and other Muslim traditions.

But on one key issue, Vatican-watchers detected a divergence in the views of the two men: the Vatican's attitude towards Islam.

John Paul II wanted to reach out to other religions and in 2001, on a visit to Syria, he became the first pope to set foot in a mosque.

It was a gesture intended to help end centuries of hostility and suspicion between the two religions.

Benedict XVI undoubtedly wants to achieve better relations with Islam, but there is an important proviso.

It can be summed up in a single word: reciprocity. It means that if Muslims want to enjoy religious freedom in the West, then Christians should have an equal right to follow their faith in Islamic states, without fear of persecution.

Short guidelines for inter religious encounter and dialogue

Is persuasion dead? And if so, does it matter?

The significance of this query goes beyond the feelings of futility I'll suffer if it turns out I've wasted my life on work that is useless. This is bigger than one writer's insecurities. Is it possible in America today to convince anyone of anything he doesn't already believe? If so, are there enough places where this mingling of minds occurs to sustain a democracy?

King Abdullah II also spoke at greater length during the National Prayer Luncheon - and quoted Rom 12.21 We must therefore heed the words of the New Testament: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"