In February 2024, our colleague Menna Mansi attended the fourth international PLURIEL congress, an important opportunity to examine in depth the impact and prospects of the Document on Human Fraternity, signed five years ago by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad al-Tayib.
Here are Menna’s impressions after attending three days of insightful talks and productive exchanges: “It was a great honor to participate in the Islam and Fraternity Congress in Abu Dhabi under a scholarship granted by Pluriel to PhD researchers. Marking the 5th anniversary of signing The Document on Human Fraternity, the congress presented the main opportunities and challenges on the way to Human Fraternity, which is key for solving many of the global calamities, crises and disasters. The congress discussed three main angles in relation to human fraternity: theological-dialogical, legal and geo-political. It was very interesting to see how almost all speakers from different fields engaged with language. Key terms and labels, including “fraternity,” “harmony,” “minorities,” “diversity,” “difference,” “marginalized” and “free conscience” were discussed in terms of their meanings, connotations, associations and etymology. Different papers also pinpointed how the use of some of these words would result in the inclusion or exclusion of the other. The congress was a great chance to meet scholars from different fields working on issues of relevance to interfaith and interreligious dialogue between Christians and Muslims.”