English
The Cross in Rūmī’s Maṯnawī
“A cursory reading of Rūmī’s Maṯnawī suggests that the author follows the dominant Qur’ānic interpretation denying Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion. Closer analysis demonstrates, however, that Rūmī interprets the Cross and considers its spiritual significance in a subtle and symbolic way. This study addresses this contradiction by developing a synthesis that clarifies Rūmī’s spiritual anthropology. In the Islamic context, his writing constitutes a significant attempt to understand and interpret the Christian Scriptures and overcome sensitive points of conflict that are considered dividing lines between the faiths.”
Résumé
Une lecture rapide du Maṯnawī de Rūmī suggère que l’auteur suit l’interprétation dominante du Coran niant la crucifixion de Jésus-Christ. Une analyse plus approfondie démontre cependant que Rūmī interprète la Croix et considère sa signification spirituelle d’une manière subtile et symbolique. Cette étude aborde cette contradiction en développant une synthèse qui clarifie l’anthropologie spirituelle de Rūmī. Dans le contexte islamique, ses écrits constituent une tentative significative de comprendre et d’interpréter les Écritures chrétiennes et de surmonter les points sensibles de conflit considérés comme des lignes de démarcation entre les religions.
Resources of this researcher
article
Islamic Hermeneutics of Nonviolence: Key Concepts and Methodological Steps
The article traces the key concepts and methodological steps that make an Islamic theology of nonviolence plausible. It offers the tools for a critical reading of classical texts, “sacred” history,...
publication
Christianity and Islam: theologians in dialogue
Cahiers de la Revue théologique de Louvain N°45 co-edited by Michel Younès and André Wénin. This book initiates a dialogue between Christian and Muslim theologians on how the former view Islam and ...
videos
Islam and non-violence: from theory to practice
Lecture given at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, on January 10, 2019
videos
The document on human fraternity: a new horizon for Islamic-Christian dialogue? (Italian)
Lecturers : Adnane Mokrani, P. Laurent Basanese S.J. Moderator: Valentino Cottini Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, April 8th, 2019 This conference marks the launch of the r...
videos
Training for dialogue
Lecture given at the Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI) in Rome, 23 January 2015.
videos
Towards an islamic dialogical and a-controversial theology
First International Congress of the University Platform for Research on Islam in Europe and Lebanon (PLURIEL): theological area Speaker: Adnane Mokrani, Associate Professor at the Pontifical Ins...
article
The dialogue between the Focolare Movement and Muslims
Original title : "Il dialogo del Movimento dei Focolari con i Musulmani" Abstract : Academic meetings and relationships between official representatives of the Christian Churches and of Muslim c...
article
Ashura in sunnite mirrors, confused borders between joy and sadness
SUMMARY: This article analyzes the Sunnite views of ‘Āshūrā’ and the assassination/martyrdom of al–Ḥusayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muḥammad. It is not an exhaustive work; it is rather selective...
Resources related to
Muslim-Christian Dialogue
article
Kenneth Cragg and the Event of the Qur’an
- Timo Güzelmansur
Article by Timo Güzelmansur published under the title Kenneth Cragg und das Ereignis des Koran on the theological portal feinschwarz.net (12 June 2026, open access). Timo Güzelmansur presents the A...
article
Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica Humanitas and the Pluriel working group on AI-assisted interreligious dialogue
- Wael Saleh
Text by Wael Saleh, researcher at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and member of the Pluriel coordination committee. The simultaneous appearance of Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Human...
publication
The Recognition of a Hummingbird. Essays on Interreligious Dialogue and Missionary Work (2007-2025)
- Rémi Caucanas
Published in May 2026 by PISAI (Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Rome), this collection brings together the essays of Rémi Caucanas on interreligious dialogue and missionary wor...
videos
From Lavigerie to PISAI: The Institutional History of the Missionaries of Africa’s Engagement with Islam
Delivered on 21 May 2026 at the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI) in Rome, this lecture opens the series of conferences marking the institute's centenary (1926-2026). Fr. ...
videos
Interreligious Dialogue and Ethnic Nationalisms in the Balkans
At the invitation of PISAI (Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Rome) and Georgetown University, Ahmet Alibašić, professor of Islamic civilization at the Faculty of Islamic Studies...
publication
For a Christian Theology of Religions
- Michel Younès
Faced with contemporary religious diversity, how can Christian theology make sense of the place that other religions occupy in God’s design? Michel Younès examines the three traditional ̶...
publication
Intercultural Theology
- Jean Patrick Nkolo Fanga
Because every theology is culturally situated, Christian theology is inevitably multicultural. Yet one step remains to be taken: to become intercultural. Crossing languages, contexts, origins, ages...
article
Bells and Muezzin in Harmony: Dialogue with Islam as a Spiritual Responsibility
- Timo Güzelmansur
Article by Timo Güzelmansur published under the title Glocken und Muezzin im Einklang. Der Dialog mit dem Islam als geistliche Verantwortung in Herder Korrespondenz (special issue devoted to Pope L...