Analysis: Catholics, Muslims pursue dialogue amid Mideast tension

"We have passed from formal dialogue to a dialogue between friends," Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, head of the Vatican's department for interfaith dialogue, said at the conference held near the Jordan River site believed to be where Jesus was baptized. "We realized that we have a common heritage,"

Recalling the strains that prompted Muslims to suggest a dialogue in 2007, Jordan's Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal said: "Since then, despite some misunderstandings, I dare say the general Muslim-Catholic ambiance has ameliorated considerably."

The 24 Catholic and 24 Muslim religious leaders, scholars and educators meeting here debated how each religion uses reason to strengthen insight into its beliefs. Roman Catholicism has long argued that faith without reason can breed superstition while nihilism can emerge from reason without faith. [see www.acommonword.com]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/25/us-catholic-muslim-dialogue-idUSTRE7AO1ET20111125

A new Muslim Hijri Year, Hope in the Horizon

10 principles of the Prophet

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the most successful man in the entire human history. Being the last Prophet of Islam, he not only set a good example for the whole mankind but also showed to them how to achieve success in this world. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, a prominent Islamic scholar, has identified 10 successful principles taught by the Prophet.

“By studying the life of the Prophet we can derive those important principles of success,” he wrote in an article. “To begin from the possible” is one of those principles. The Prophet’s wife Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) has explained this principle through a Hadith in which she said: “Whenever the Prophet had to choose between two options, he always opted for the easier one” (Al-Bukhari). To choose the easiest option means to begin from the possible, and one who begins from the possible will surely reach his goal.

http://arabnews.com/lifestyle/islam/article538181.ece

Scottish Inter Faith Week in 2011 will take place from 27th November - 4th December.

The theme of Scottish Inter Faith Week this year is ‘Belief in Dialogue’. The launch of the week will take place on Sunday 27th November at St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art in Glasgow at 1.30pm. Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Humza Yousaf MSP will give key note addresses and there will be readings and performances on the theme from all the major faith communities in Scotland, including the Tashi Lhunpo Tibetan Buddhist monks who have been creating an intricate sand mandala at the museum during the week.The destruction of the mandala is taking place on the morning of the 27th November at the museum at 11.30am and all are welcome.

http://www.scottishinterfaithcouncil.org/22.html