A Catholic-Muslim tandem?

"The credibility of religions and also the credibility of our religious leaders and all believers is at stake."

This quotation is taken from the 40th annual message to Muslims issued by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue at the end of the Muslim's month-long Ramadan fast. The French Cardinal Paul Poupard, signed the message.

"If we do not play our part as believers, many will question the usefulness of religion and the integrity of all men and women who bow down before God," Cardinal Poupard said. "In those places where we can work together, let us not labour separately," the cardinal wrote.

"The world has need, and so do we, of Christians and Muslims who respect and value each other and bear witness to their mutual love and co-operation to the glory of God and the good of all humanity," he said.

What Cardinal Poupard said can be summarised in a very simple way: in a certain sense there are more things that unite us than things that divide us! Some can find these words strange. Others most probably were surprised especially after the Regensburg discourse controversy. But the common points that exist between these two religions are valid and militate in favour of continuing dialogue between the two religions.

The discussion surrounding the Pope's message at Regensburg and especially an October 15 letter to the Pope from 38 Muslim scholars demonstrated not only the importance of Catholic-Muslim dialogue, but also the willingness of Muslims to engage in the process.

The Vatican's Ramadan message said the controversy and protests that followed the Pope's remarks about Islam in September "demonstrate clearly that, however arduous the path of authentic dialogue may be at times, it is more necessary than ever."

The central point of the 2006 Ramadan message was a call for Christians and Muslims to co-operate in building cultures and societies marked by solidarity, justice and peace. A lot can and should be done by all sides. Our duty is to do our part in this regard even on the local level where the Muslim community - till now mainly made up of non-native Maltese - is on the increase.