Interpreting the Papal-Grand Imam Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity

In February this year, Pope Francis undertook a historic visit to the UAE, where close to one million Catholics live and work. The Pope signed a joint declaration of goodwill with Sheikh Ahmad al-Tayyeb, one of the most important Islamic leaders in the world. Al-Tayyeb is Shaykh al-Azhar and thus the Grand Imam who heads the al-Azhar institution, which is influential in both religion and scholarship.

Between Ahmad al-Tayyeb and Pope Francis, a friendly relationship has begun and grown ever since the visit of the Grand Imam to the Vatican on May 23, 2016 and the papal visit to Cairo on April 28-29, 2017.

The Papal-Grand Imam declaration is the Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity that calls for a commentary from both a Catholic theological and Islamic studies point of view.

La Civiltà Cattolica  interprets the Abu Dhabi Document and finds that religious diversity has a healing role in the history of salvation.


Get the digital edition of La Civiltà Cattolica and read top Church scholars interpreting history, politics, culture, science and art in the light of the Christian faith.