“Let us all, Muslims and Christians alike, turn to God who is present in the depths of our hearts, and tell him of our commitment to actively carry forward this peaceful revolution of universal brotherhood.” (Chiara Lubich) “Let’s thank God for having given Chiara to us. I see her as a leader for all of us. I say this seriously. She’s a leader for all of us.” (W.D. Mohammed)   “Dialogue breaks down prejudices and barriers. We discover one other as members  of the one human family, while maintaining our own historical and cultural richness”. This is the Pope’s Message, signed by Cardinal Sodano To show an example of fraternity existing between Christians and Muslims. This was the goal of the remarkable Gathering held in Washington D.C., with the participation of more than 5,000 people: Muslims, Christians and members of other religions. Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, Cardinal William Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, and Imam W.D. Mohammed, leader of the moderate Afro-American Muslims, were present. “It is the beginning of the healing of many divisions in America” Imam Daud from Maryland spontaneously commented. “Something we’ve been waiting for has happened today” said a Muslim woman. “This meeting was the beginning of something which has a future. It gives us strength and courage to build a world of unity and peace.” The Pope himself had wished the same thing, in his much-applauded message, read by Cardinal Keeler: “At a time of tension in the world, the great religious traditions can bring about peace through authentic dialogue.” In his talk, the leader of the Black Muslims alluded to the suffering brought about by racism that sought to cancel the identity, the very nature of his people. But what emerged was liberation, the restoration of identity that “allows men and women to feel they belong to one universal family, created by the Father we have in common.” And drawing from the Koran, he emphasised the light of unity and the transcendent dimension “without which,” he said, “we cannot be human beings”. Chiara Lubich, who was invited to communicate the spirituality of unity which emerged from living the Gospel, focussed precisely on these two dimensions in her talk.  “God guides history and he sends from time to time,” she said, “special gifts, called charisms. Humanity is called by God to form one family. This charism has been given to us to contribute to the fulfilment of this divine plan.” Drawing many parallels between phrases from the Koran and from the Gospel, Chiara highlighted the need for a commandment of love. “By putting these teachings into practice,” she said, “what happens is something much more than dialogue: it is the experience of communion in God”. This was the experience lived in Washington.