ROC will give an answer to Muslims

Currently, the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate (MPC MP) is completing the preparation of a response to a letter to 138 Muslim leaders , sent in October the heads of leading Christian faiths, the priest Georgy Roshchin, an employee of the MPC MP, told the Interfax agency.

In turn, the secretary of the Synodal Working Group on the development of a conceptual document setting out the position of the Russian Church in the field of inter-religious relations, Roman Silantyev noted the benevolent tone of the letter and positively appreciated his contribution to the development of the Christian Muslim dialogue.

"It is gratifying that 137 Muslim theologians and Moscow Mufti Ravil Gainutdin in their letter to Christian spiritual leaders do not offer theological compromises, but urge to recognize each other and conduct an honest dialogue," R. Silantyev believes.

In his opinion, so far the most important aspect of dialogue between Christians and Muslims remains debunking the myths of each other.

“I believe that the response letters of Christian theologians and the subsequent discussion will allow many Muslims to get rid of errors that Christians believe in three gods, worship idols and use distorted sacred scripture,” the agency’s interlocutor emphasized.

Recall that on October 11, 138 Muslim scientists and theologians of different countries of the world sent a 29-page open letter to the 28 leaders of Christian churches with a call for dialogue based on the common values ​​of Islam and Christianity.

Among those who were addressed to the letter, the Pope Benedict XVI , the head of the Anglican Bishopal Church, Archbishop of Canterbury Roween Williams and other Christian leaders. In it, Muslim figures called for the establishment of greater understanding between Islam and Christianity. According to them, the world on Earth and the survival of mankind depend on the improvement of relations between these religions. Comparing the Qur'an and the Bible , they note the proximity of both teachings regarding the recognition of one God and the need to live in peace with neighbors. In addition, Muslim theologians assure that both Christians and Muslims worship the same God. It is said, in particular, that the Prophet Muhammad was opened the same truth that previously became known to other prophets - Christian and Jewish - including Jesus Christ. Theologians also assure that the Koran obliges Muslims especially in a friendly way to treat Christians and Jews - the followers of these prophets.