A Common Word: Between Us and You

A Common Word: Between Us and You

The ‘a common word between us and you’ initiative (acw) was launched on October 13th 2007 initially as an Open Letter signed by 138 leading Muslim scholars and intellectuals (including such figures as the Grand Muftis of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Oman, Bosnia, Russia, and Istanbul) to the leaders of the Christian churches and denominations of the entire world, including His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. In essence it proposed, based on verses from the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Bible, that
Islam and Christianity share, at their cores, the twin ‘golden’ commandments of the paramount importance of loving God and loving one’s neighbor. Based on this joint common ground, it called for peace and harmony between Christians and Muslims worldwide. acw was and is an extended global handshake of interreligious
goodwill, friendship and fellowship and consequently of world peace. This is the 5 year anniversary edition published in 2012.

"On the Occasion of the Eid al-Fitr al-Mubarak 1428 A.H. / October 13th 2007 C.E., and on the One Year Anniversary of the Open Letter of 38 Muslim Scholars to H.H. Pope Benedict XVI, An Open Letter and Call from Muslim Religious Leaders to many different Christian leaders including the Catholic Pope, Patriarchs, and leaders of Anglican and Reformed churches. The title, which comes from the Qur'an is explained as follows: In the Holy Qur’an, God Most High enjoins Muslims to issue the following call to Christians (and Jews—the People of the Scripture): Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside God. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him). (Aal ‘Imran 3:64)"

The Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought

2012

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanic, including photocopying or recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

PDF

English

Text