Christian–Muslim Dialogue: The Love of God and the Love of Neighbour in a World of Religious Differences

This article looks at the “the love of God and the love of neighbour” as understood in Christianity and in Islam. It addresses the question “do Christians and Muslims have the same understanding of this?” We begin with the Syriac Orthodox Church, its experience of persecution and genocide, and the story of my grandparents’ survival. There follows an examination of the important letter “A Common word between Us and You” which was an initiative put forward by a group of Muslim scholars in 2007. I explain the differences in understanding of the concepts of the love of God and the love of neighbour between Christians and Muslims. I conclude by looking beyond the scripture texts of both faiths to consider how commitment to universal human rights can improve the lives of all people, those who have a faith, and also those who are without faith. I recall that my own family’s experience demonstrates the need for the positive thinking and understanding shown in the Common Word Letter, to strengthen our hope that the prayer the Lord has given us “may your Kingdom come in earth as in heaven” may be fulfilled.