Current Dialogue

In a world that is increasingly both interconnected and polarized, the need for constructive and transformative dialogue among different religious and spiritual traditions has never been more pressing. This issue of Current Dialogue, titled “Reconfiguring Interfaith Work: Lessons from the Field,” aims to explore diverse theological and dialogical landscapes as a means of identifying strategies to address the common challenges facing churches, religious communities, and interreligious spaces today, with a special focus on their pursuit of just peace. In this issue, we present a collection of articles that explore the current dynamics and prospects of interreligious engagement in the face of fast-changing and violence-prone political landscapes worldwide. Contributors include scholars, activists, and faith leaders who share their experiences and insights, shedding light on successful initiatives and ongoing challenges in the pursuit of mutual understanding and cooperation across different faith communities. We are thrilled for this opportunity to welcome Dr Angeliki Ziaka, Professor of the Study of Religion at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, as the new programme executive for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation at the World Council of Churches (WCC), appointed in 2024. A first priority for her as editor of this journal was to ensure the publication of this issue, which was delayed during the transition time following the WCC's 11th Assembly. Dr Ziaka brings expertise in research and field experience in interreligious studies and a robust network of interreligious academics and practitioners. We are delighted already with her collaboration with the WCC's Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation Reference Group, where each member contributes their personal experiences and backgrounds, thus bringing together local, national, and international perspectives for the enrichment of the WCC's work and witness as we journey together on a Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity. For 45 years, Current Dialogue has been a tool to foster broader communication among churches and a catalyst for further conversations and collaborations within and beyond our communities. In this year of significant ecumenical anniversaries, this journal's anniversary reminds us of the critical intersection between ecumenical and interreligious engagement. In a world often marked by division and misunderstanding, may the discussions within these pages inspire you to engage in your own interreligious dialogues, fostering deeper connection in your communities and a broader solidarity advocating for dialogue as a sole response to all forms of violence and injustices. Dr Elias El Halabi and Kathryn M. Lohre Co-Moderators WCC Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation Reference Group This issue of Current Dialogue addresses the topic of “Reconfiguring Interfaith Work: Lessons from the Field,” with a special focus on the promotion of just peace. Its publication coincides with the celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, Bithynia, in 325 CE – the most significant event in the history of the Christian world. It also aligns with the increasingly challenging historical and political circumstances faced by humanity today, where the call for reconciliation, dialogue, and peace is more urgent than ever. The First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea established Christianity as a visible, official, and predominant faith in the ancient world, laying the foundations of Christian doctrine and theology. These foundations inaugurated a new era, accompanied by the vision of the Christian oikoumene, offering a theological, liturgical, educational, and artistic heritage of unparalleled cultural and humanitarian value. However, human rivalries and divisions were not eliminated, and their consequences continue to lead to conflicts and deep wounds – visible and painful in our times – exacerbated by the interests of economic monopolies that fuel intolerance and fundamentalism. The global demand for peace therefore requires the continuation of interreligious dialogue aimed at fostering cooperation and commitment in the spirit of love, respect for the dignity of the human person and their rights, and the preservation of the integrity of creation in the face of ecological destruction. What, then, is the role of religions and believers in the pursuit of just peace, and how can they contribute to affirming such a just peace through interfaith initiatives in today's world? This is a world where the wounds of wars and political rivalries – often cloaked in the guise of religious and nationalistic ideologies – afflict ever-larger regions, with their repercussions spreading as the sword of Damocles hangs menacingly over humanity. In what ways do religions risk perpetuating harsh ideologies and fundamentalisms? Can the Judeo-Christian teaching that humans are created “in the image and likeness of God” and the Qur'anic belief that humans are appointed by God as stewards (khalifa) of this world suffice to redefine the goodness and benevolence of the human person? Can they inspire cooperation instead of competition, trust instead of distrust –values that reach back to the very beginning of the creation of the human being? Particularly since 1971, with the creation of the WCC sub-unit on Dialogue with Peoples of Living Faiths and Ideologies, the WCC has given priority to openness to other religions and religious communities. The factors that have influenced this stance include the presence of churches in predominantly Muslim countries; the impact of colonialism; the reevaluation of Christian witness; and the emergence of new nation states that do not permit Christian mission and especially proselytism. Internal discussions within the WCC have also played a role in shaping its approach to Christian witness and constructive communication with believers of other faiths. Despite the existence of divergent theological approaches to interreligious dialogue, the WCC has incorporated it into its work and witness, considering it to be real, essential, and ongoing. In this regard, the WCC, a committed supporter of fostering collaboration among various churches and respecting religious diversity, including interreligious pluralism, works tirelessly and with dedication for the benefit of churches and the entire world. Through their efforts, churches have contributed to dialogue and on-the-ground collaboration with people of other religions and ideologies, often bearing witness with hopeful messages in critical historical moments. Human networks of solidarity and cooperation, religious organizations, and academic programmes in interfaith training and interreligious understanding assist in initiatives that promote cooperation, dialogue, and the dismantling of stereotypes. In this spirit, the recommendations of the WCC executive committee established at the WCC's 11th Assembly in September 2022 in Karlsruhe, Germany, align with these goals. The committee stated that the WCC reference group for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation and its mandate should be understood within the call of the 11th Assembly to act together in a Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and Unity from 2023 to 2030 and to work within the framework of the WCC to strengthen fellowship; deepen solidarity and communion; witness together as transforming disciples; encourage spirituality, reflection, and formation; and pursue innovative and inspiring communication.1 The authors of the articles in this issue of Current Dialogue are responding to such demands with their insights, each from their own perspective and religious and local context. This issue includes two introductory articles that contribute to understanding the journey and role of interreligious dialogue within the WCC and to peacebuilding. It is followed by a section with four examples of interfaith collaborations on the ground, specifically in Indonesia, India, and two from Egypt. The issue concludes with two articles on the significance of the Council of Nicaea today for interreligious dialogue and in responding to the political and religious challenges in the United States. The first article, by Clare Amos, is titled “‘Who Do We Say That We Are?’ The Story of the WCC's Exploration of Christian Identity in a Multireligious World.” Amos, who served for many years at the WCC as programme executive and coordinator for its Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation programme, recounts the 15-year journey that culminated in the 2016 report Who Do We Say That We Are? Christian Identity in a Multi-Religious World. The article highlights the challenges and complexities encountered along the way, with the final report adopting a trinitarian framework and using the theme of “life” as a unifying thread connecting various aspects of Christian theology. Amos offers a profound theological reflection on interreligious challenges, noting, among other observations, that “it is precisely through questions and dialogue that we can discover more about our Christian self-identity,” and that “Christian identity and self-understanding are realized not through assertions but through questions.” In the second article, titled “Transformative Dialogue, Conflict, and Peacebuilding,” Elias El Halabi reflects on how to address religious fundamentalism and violence perpetrated in the name of religion, acknowledging that while religion may contribute to the problem, it must also play a pivotal role in the solution. The central question Halabi raises is how interfaith dialogue can be utilized as a tool to mitigate or resolve conflict, positioning itself as a crucial step in the broader process of peacebuilding. The second thematic section features four articles that provide examples of interfaith field collaborations. Joas Adiprasetya, in his contribution, “Befriending Religious Others: From Religious Moderation to Religious Mediation in Indonesia,” offers the possibility to understand a country with extensive experience in interfaith cooperation, which has systematically focused on it to heal the wounds of the past. In this process, where no one is left behind, Adiprasetya highlights the mediation model of interfaith friendship, practised by people at the grassroots level in their everyday lives, as the most effective way of fostering a pluralistic society rooted in respect for religious differences and the pursuit of the common good. These opportunities for collaboration are meaningful, part of everyday life, and engaging the country's citizens, going beyond official initiatives aimed at preventing religious radicalism and promoting religious moderation. The next contribution comes from India, a land rich in cultural heritage and home to diverse religions, traditions, languages, and cuisines. Mathew Chandrankunnel offers his insights under the title “Philo-Yoga: An East-West Transformation Tool through Interfaith Pilgrimage.” He focuses on the unique aspects of India's complex, integrated civilization, highlighting the beauty of its ethos and timeless legacy, and reflects on the privilege of embracing and integrating these endless possibilities within every individual born in India and with a particular focus on interfaith dialogue. This process, he explains, involves engaging with different religious perspectives to unite individuals into a cohesive society and civilization. In his article, Chandrankunnel shares his personal journey through these intertwined life experiences. The next article, “Interfaith Dialogue through Religious Institutions: Rereading the Speeches of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif,” written by Shaker Moussa, explores Islam and Egypt's role in interreligious collaboration. Moussa examines how contemporary Muslim leaders justify and embrace interfaith dialogue, focusing on the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif – an institution with more than 1400 years of history – and its efforts to advance dialogue while safeguarding Islamic values and respecting other religions. The article sheds light on the challenges of promoting interreligious dialogue within a traditional context where religion is also the state religion and where reservations persist among the faithful. Drawing from Islamic tradition and the Qur'an, Moussa traces the roots of official interfaith efforts, including collaboration with the WCC and the Vatican and in particular by presenting the “Document on Human Fraternity – For World Peace and Living Together.” This section concludes with the article “The Personal Before and After the Political: Case Study of a Dialogue Methodology for Crisis,” offered by three scholars from the Abrahamic family – Elena Dini, Benjamin Kamine, and Mohammed Gamal Abdelnour all of whom are committed to interfaith dialogue and collaboration. They co-facilitated a workshop titled “Interfaith Dialogue in Times of Crisis” during the GINGKO Interfaith Fellowship Retreat in Cairo in September 2024. Taking place a year after the tragic events of 7 October 2023, and amid unprecedented and ongoing violence, their work underscores the vital role of dialogue in turbulent times. While not expected to solve deeply political challenges, their open-hearted and respectful approach offers hope and is a positive affirmation of continuation. Furthermore, such an approach suggests methodological interfaith approaches in times of severe conflicts and reflects on methodological successes, structural challenges, and the importance of fostering dialogue in moments of crisis. In the article “‘Where Now for Visible Unity?’ Commemorating Nicaea in a World with People of Other Faiths,” Martin Illert highlights the ecumenical focus of the WCC for 2025, centring on the commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. This will be marked by the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order, scheduled for October 2025 in Egypt under the theme “Where Now for Visible Unity?” The article delves into the theological challenges that persist 17 centuries after Nicaea, exploring the enduring relevance of its decisions and the creed that resulted and examining their impact on contemporary Christian unity and interfaith engagement. Illert concludes by reflecting on the significance of pursuing visible Christian unity in today's multireligious world. The final article in this issue is Michael Trice's timely contribution “Nicaea, American Populism, and Christian Nationalism: Lessons from the Field,” Trice asks, “What does Nicaea teach us about best practices in adaptive leadership from the Christian past to help us address rising authoritarianism today?” The article examines the November 2024 US presidential election as a demonstration of rising popular authoritarianism in the United States, recognizing how the America First doctrine is reshaping both the political and religious landscapes. The author re-examines the religious history of the early Christian centuries with a critical perspective of nationalist impulses and seeks proposals for contemporary leaders. He also calls on “Christians in the United States, like co-religionists around the world addressing their own ideological strains … to take the spectacle of their violent shadow seriously.” The issue concludes with book reviews and documentation. I wish you insightful reading. Dr. Angeliki Ziaka