India: Jesuits attend Iftar at Muslim shrine

Joseph Victor Edwin SJ writes:

Yesterday, the three of us Jesuits had the pleasure of attending iftar at the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, hosted by our dear brother, Sayyid Muhammad Nizami.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, abstaining from both food and drink, and break their fast at sunset.

As always, it was a delight to be with Nizami saheb, who shared insightful highlights from the teachings of the sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. He emphasized, "In his darbar at the sufi hospice, everyone was welcome. He taught that we are created to worship God and to serve others without discrimination." As guests of Nizami saheb, we were grateful for his generous hospitality.

This reminded me of a quote by Christian Krokus in his book, 'The Theology of Louis Massignon: Islam, Christ and the Church' : "Hospitality warrants that one always make the best of one's guest or host, depending on which position one occupies. One should treat others (and other traditions) the way one wants himself (and his tradition) to be treated".

Krokus further notes that Massignon used a strategy of hospitality not only towards individuals but also in his engagement with texts, histories, and traditions. For him, hospitality was the cornerstone of his scholarly approach. He began as a guest in the world of Islam, immersing himself in its languages, people, cultures, artistic expressions, and various religious and mystical interpretations. He aimed to understand it as fully as possible from within. Then, he took on the role of host, presenting what he learned in the most favourable light to his Western, predominantly Christian audience.

This experience has profoundly heightened my awareness of my role as a Jesuit among Muslims. As I enjoy the warmth and hospitality of my Muslim friends and their families, leaning their beliefs and practices, I also recognize the importance of stepping into the role of a host. I need to share my experiences among Muslims in a way that sheds light on their faith for my Christian brothers and sisters.

Fr Joseph Victor Edwin SJ, is Secretary of the Islamic Studies Association, Delhi

LINK

Islamic Studies Association Delhi: https://islamicstudiesassociation.org/