University Group Visits Turkey to Promote Interfaith Dialogue, Education

Improving communication and cooperation between Christians and Muslims was the focus of a recent trip to Turkey taken by an interdisciplinary team of six University faculty members this summer.

Group members, all part of the University’s Christian-Muslim Dialogue Committee (CMDC), laid the groundwork for future collaborative opportunities between the University and Turkish organizations and institutions as they participated in events focused on discovering ways to expand intercultural exchange.

The pinnacle of the visit to three Turkish cities was Environment and Nature in Christianity and Islam, a workshop at Fatih University in Istanbul. Four members of the Duquesne group presented papers focused on topics including sustainability, public health and the environment, and Turkish scholars presented on related topics.

The meeting provided a much-needed forum to discuss how different religious groups can be encouraged to work together on solutions to a shared problem, according to Dr. Marinus Iwuchukwu, associate professor of theology and chair of the CMDC.

“The seminar was critical because the exercise and its focus underscored some of the primary objectives of the CMDC, such as engaging interdisciplinary scholars toward effective Christian-Muslim dialogue and putting research from different categories of studies into the services of religion in society,” Iwuchukwu said.

In addition, participants experienced how cultural and religious differences are accepted by the Turkish people. Dr. Boncho Dragiyski, assistant professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, said that the trip allowed him to participate in activities supporting his belief in the importance of open intercultural communication. He also witnessed how differences can be embraced and appreciated.

“It was astounding for me to see how people from different cultures and faiths shared with me the principle that differences are not flaws, but richness,” Dragiyski said.

For additional photos and stories about the trip, visit the CMDC Facebook page.

To learn more about the CMDC and to view a listing of the committee’s upcoming events, visit their website or call 412.396.1014.