Cardinal writes book to help Christians discover spiritual gems in Quran

A book titled “Journeying with Muslims: Listening, Praying and Working Together” was released in New Delhi, India.

Authored by a Vatican cardinal and published by the New Delhi-based Islamic Studies Association, it aims to help Christian readers discover and contemplate the spiritual gems found in Quran, the holy book of Muslims.

Emeritus Professor Akhtarul Wasey of the Jamia Millia Islamia released the book at a program jointly organized by the Indialogue Foundation and Indian Social Institute along with the Islamic Studies Association.

The book was written by Cardinal Michael Louis Fitzgerald, one of the foremost Catholic scholars in the field of Christian-Muslim relations.

The 85-year-old cardinal served in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue as Secretary between 1987 and 2002 and then president for the next six years.

While launching of the book, Wasey thanked Cardinal Fitzgerald for offering the “wonderful” text. He further said that in Journeying with Muslims, the Cardinal proposes Christians could accompany their Muslim brothers through reading and reflecting on the passages of the Quran without compromising their identity as Christians.

Since the Quran lies at the heart of Islam, the new booklet helps Christians to enter heart-to-heart dialogue with Muslims. This idea came from the cardinal’s long association with the Muslim world, his deep knowledge of Islam and Muslims and his deep commitment to his Christian Faith.

“It is a bold idea since booklet invites Christians to get familiarized with selected texts from the Quran by praying with them,” Wasey added.

Jesuit Father Denzil Fernandes, the executive director of Indian Social Institute, urged the gathering to explore the common areas of convergence between the two great faiths to work together for justice and peace in the world.