Lecture Explores Christian and Muslim Views of Jesus and Muhammad

The Christian-Muslim Dialogue Committee (CMDC) has invited two theology experts to campus to discuss who Jesus is to Muslims and who Muhammad is to Christians for CMDC’s 2014 Symposium on Interreligious Dialogue. The event will take place Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 3-6 p.m. in the Power Center Ballroom.

Dr. Irfan A. Omar, associate professor of theology at Marquette University, will present Sayyidina Isa: Jesus in the Eyes of a Muslim.

The reverse perspective, Who is Muhammad to Christians?, will be offered by Dr. Nelly van Doorn-Harder, professor of Islamic studies at Wake Forest University.

“Among the goals of CMDC are to actively promote religious pluralism and effective interreligious dialogue, not only between Christians and Muslims but also between Christian/Muslims and people of other faith traditions,” said  Dr. Marinus Iwuchukwu, director of the committee. “Therefore, the speakers will address topics that will help participants understand how Muslim’s view Jesus’s role as special agent of God toward the salvation of all people, as well as how Christians can understand the religious role of Muhammad.”

Duquesne students, faculty and staff can attend for free with their Duquesne IDs. Registration for the general public is required with a $15 fee.

The symposium is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the dean of the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts and the theology department, the Honors College, the Center for African Studies, the Office of Mission and Identity, and the Center for the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.

Contact Dr. Marinus Iwuchukwu at 412.396.1014 for more information.