Bring about reconciliation between your brothers, and fear God, that you may receive mercy. — Qur’an, Surat al-Hujurat (49):10
God was reconciling the world to himself,
not counting their trespasses against them.
And he has
committed to us the message of reconciliation.
— New Testament,
2 Corinthians 5:19
You shall not take vengeance nor bear any grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. — Torah, Leviticus 19:18
The Reconciliation Program is the newest program at the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. In its initial phase, the Reconciliation Program is focused primarily on bridge-building scholarly research on the major theological, political, cultural, social and ethical issues which traditionally divide Muslims and Christians, and on concerns which unite them.
We hope that our research and resulting publications may provide a fresh approach and new foundations to help Muslims, Christians and Jews understand one another more sympathetically.
A second major area, which we hope to develop in the future, is a residential fellows program bringing together Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders (religious, political, academic, etc.), on sabbatical from their usual jobs, to spend time in a residential community together at Yale. It is hoped that fellows will develop lifelong relationships with one another, contributing to long-term reconciliation among their respective communities.
A third major area, now in the early stages of development, is that of partnerships and joint initiatives with leading Islamic institutions, as well as Christian and Jewish institutions, to promote interfaith dialogue and reconciliation. Additionally, plans are being laid for hosting conferences on issues in dialogue among the Abrahamic faiths, and sending program personnel to participate in conferences sponsored by others.
These and other activities are envisioned which will allow the Reconciliation Program to play a vital role in promoting reconciliation between East and West, as well as constructively addressing in the public square, both in the West and in Muslim countries, the justice and peacemaking issues which affect Muslim-Christian and Muslim-Western relations.
Joseph Cumming is Director and Andrew Saperstein Associate Director of the Reconcilation Program.
Joseph Cumming on the Pope’s remarks about Islam (MSNBC’s The Most)
Joseph Cumming on the Pope’s public statement of regret (WICC-AM)
Joseph Cumming on the Common Word initiative in a television broadcast, “Christian-Muslim Relations,” Front and Center with Ray Hardman, Connecticut Public Television. (video at bottom of linked page)
- Introduction
“My time with you has totally transformed my attitude toward Christians and toward Muslim-Christian relations. Before meeting you, I thought that many Muslims took an interest in Christianity, but that no Christians cared for or respected Muslims enough to take an interest in our faith. But you know our faith better than I do, and you have also helped me to see that I had previously completely misunderstood what Christians believe.”
— Pakistani
participant