India: Islamic Studies Association elects President

Father Pushpa Anbu and colleagues at the Islamic Studies Association, Delhi

Divine Word Missionary Father Pushpa Anbu was elected the President of Islamic Studies Association (ISA), Delhi in the General Body Meeting on Saturday, 8 October 2022 at St Xavier's School.

ISA was established in 1979 by a group of Christian scholars on Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations to promote study, research and teaching regarding the history, religion, culture, socio-economic conditions, and other aspects of Islam and to work towards promoting relations among Muslim, Christian, Hindu, and other religious and social communities in India.

ISA over the years remained committed to promote national integration of all Indian cultural, social, and religious groups and support Government programs for this purpose.

Fr Anbu who holds a doctorate in Islamic Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia is also the General Secretary for Formation and Education in the Order of Divine Word Missionaries.

On being elected as President, he thanked the General Body for electing him to his new role and emphasized the relevance of the mission of ISA in our times as ambassadors of Christ promoting peace and reconciliation (cf. 2 Cor. 5:20) in the present context of hatred and fear. Ignorance is a fertile ground where hatred and fear spread like wildfire, he said, and ISA will organise programs to bring people of different faith traditions so that they learn to esteem the faith of the other.

ISA also elected Joseph Victor Edwin SJ, Lecturer, theology and Christian Muslim Relations, Vidyajyoti Institute of Religious Studies, Delhi as Secretary, and veteran missionary Jesuit Father Varkey Perekatt SJ as Treasurer.