Adding the Voices of Women and Minorities to Interreligious Dialogue

If the goal of Christian-Muslim dialogue is to improve relationships and conditions in society, that dialogue must include the voices of religious minorities such as Hindus, Buddhists and Jews, as well as women of all religions.

That was the conclusion of the Duquesne University Christian-Muslim Dialogue Committee, as it planned the 2012 Symposium on Interreligious Dialogue. This year, the symposium—from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, in the Africa Room of the Union— will focus on building relationships and the role of women and minorities in interreligious dialogue in the United States.

“We can’t set up a world where minorities are ignored or wished away,” said Dr. Marinus Iwuchukwu, assistant professor of theology. “We must include the issues of these groups who are too often marginalized.”

In many cultures, said Dr. Iwuchukwu, women aren’t treated on the same level as men. “We are obligated to consider the gifts women bring to make dialogue more robust. We cannot leave them on the sidelines.”

Keynote speaker Daisy Khan, executive director, American Society for Muslim Advancement will discuss the strong voice that Muslim women can bring to religious interactions and discussion.

The second keynote speaker is Dr. Peter C. Phan, S.T.D., D.D., Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University. He will focus on how minority voices are needed to sharpen and shape religious dialogue in the U.S.

Free and open to the public, the program is organized by the Duquesne University Christian-Muslim Dialogue Committee and funded by National Endowment for the Humanities and the McAnulty College Office of the Dean. Sponsors are the Consortium for Educational Resources on Islamic Studies, the Office of Mission and Identity, the Department of Theology and Philosophy and the Office of Research.

For more information, contact Iwuchukwu at 412.396.1014.