Statement of the October Summit on Muslim Catholic Relations

At the invitation of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University and the Center for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a group of prominent scholars, both Catholic and Muslim, convened in Washington, DC on Wednesday, 11 October 2006 for an intensive conversation. 

All participants have had extensive experience in the many forms and forums of interreligious dialogue.  Concerned about references in a recent papal lecture, which were widely seen as derogatory to Islam, these scholars gathered to reaffirm both the importance and the vitality of Muslim-Catholic relations.  They strove to ratify by
their presence and their shared insights the continuing significance of a mutually-supported dialogue of religions and cultures.  In a time of international tension they strongly affirmed the positive record of interreligious understanding achieved by Catholics and Muslims in the four decades since the Second Vatican Council and they recommitted themselves to correcting erroneous assertions which can harm Muslim - Catholic relations.  They pledged themselves to renewed efforts, such as workshops, conferences and future publications, which could sustain and expand the good work that has been done by so many Muslims and Catholics to foster deeper interreligious appreciation and harmony.

Signed
(listed in alphabetical order)

Mr. Omer Bin Abdullah
Editor, Islamic Horizons Magazine

Professor Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad
Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding
Georgetown University

Professor Scott C. Alexander
Associate Professor of Islam, Director, Catholic-Muslim Studies Program
Catholic Theological Union at Chicago

Dr. Abubaker Al Shingieti
Regional Director, International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)

Mr. Nihad Awad
Director, Center for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Professor Thomas Banchoff
Director, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Georgetown University

Dr. Jamal M. Barzinji
Vice President, International Institute of Islamic Thought

Dr. John Borelli
Special Assistant to the President for Interreligious Initiatives, Office of the President
Georgetown University

Professor Charles E. Butterworth
Department of Government & Politics, University of Maryland

Professor Ahmad Dallal
Chair, Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Georgetown University

Professor John L. Esposito
University Professor & Founding Director, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University

Professor Sidney Griffith
Professor of Syriac Language and Literature, Catholic University of America

Professor Yvonne Haddad
Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding
Georgetown University

Professor Sherman Jackson
Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Department of Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan

Professor Leo D. Lefebure
Matteo Ricci, S.J. Professor of Theology, Georgetown University

Professor Jane D. McAuliffe
Dean, Georgetown College, Georgetown University

Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr
University Professor of Islamic Studies, George Washington University

Professor Tamara Sonn
Kenan Professor of Humanities, Department of Religious Studies
College of William & Mary

Reverend Francis X. Winters
Professor, Ethics and International Affairs, Georgetown University