April 12, 2012. (Romereports.com) Nowadays, when most people hear the word 'Baghdad' they usually think about war. But years ago, specifically in the 10th century,  the capital was known for being a central point for cultural and commercial exchange and also for religious dialogue.

SIDNEY H. GRIFFITH
The Catholic University of America (Washington, USA)
“Jewish scholars, Christians scholars and Muslim scholars, all of whom were speaking Arabic, and living within the world of Islam, nevertheless, were working together as scholars in many areas.”

So, precisely to discuss inter-religious dialogue, the Pontifical Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies organized a forum to talk about what people can learn from the way people lived in Baghdad back in the 10th century.  Scholars, would discuss philosophy, logic, sciences and of course religion.

SIDNEY H. GRIFFITH
The Catholic University of America (Washington, USA)
“The truth of their own religious position and the same time respecting others so its a notable era in the history of Muslim/Christian relations.”

But of course, this inter-religious relationship has also been through its moments of tension and debate. When it comes to looking toward the future, Professor Griffith says the Catholic Church and more specifically Vatican II played a key part.

SIDNEY H. GRIFFITH
The Catholic University of America (Washington, USA)
"When the fathers of that council commended to us that we recognize, those difficulties of the past, but that we leave them in the past and strive in the spirit of our worship of God.”

And when it comes to discussing these issues, in modern day times, Griffith says,  there is no better city to do so than Rome.


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