Robert Spencer / Human Events:
Tauran observed that the possibility of serious dialogue between Muslims and Christians was limited by the traditional Islamic understanding of the Muslim holy book: “Muslims,” he said, “do not accept that one can discuss the Koran in depth, because they say it was written by dictation from God. With such an absolute interpretation, it is difficult to discuss the contents of faith.”
Tauran went on to call for reciprocity between the treatment of Christians in Islamic lands and the treatment of Muslims in the West, decrying the fact that Muslims are permitted to build mosques freely in Europe, but Christians face difficulties or outright bans when trying to build churches in Muslim lands. “In a dialogue among believers, it is fundamental to say what is good for one is good for the other.”
But that presumes an equality of religions, and that one can admit the legitimacy of the other. And that is the element missing from the proposed debate….
Full article here.
See also:
Chiesa: One Year after Regensburg, 138 Muslims Write a New Letter to the Pope
Samir Khalil Samir, SJ: The Letter of 138 Muslim scholars to the Pope and Christian Leaders
