My latest book, released in 2022, is the culmination of extensive research into the spiritual friendships that Chiara Lubich cultivated with leaders of other religions. This endeavor involved dedicated exploration of existing documentation housed at the Interreligious Dialogue office of the Focolare Movement, where I delved into exchanges, letters, various texts, and articles detailing Lubich’s relationships with figures such as Nikkyo Niwano, Thai Buddhist monks, Mrs. Minoti Aram, a Hindu, and Imam W.D. Mohammed, an African-American.
The chapter spotlighting the profound bond between a Catholic woman of European descent and an African-American Muslim Imam is titled “A Pact of Fraternity.” This bond was solidified by a pact proposed by Lubich and readily embraced by the Imam, who declared, “The pact is eternal. God is my witness; you are my sister, and I am your friend. I will support you always. I hope many of my people join this movement and contribute to it.” This significant moment occurred in 1997, and eleven years later, both protagonists passed away within months of each other. However, the friendship between their respective movements endured, characterized by profound fraternity and practical collaboration.
Recently, New City Press (NCP), an American publisher, approached me with a proposal to publish in English, the portion of my text that chronicles this experience . They handled the translation and printing, resulting in the publication of “The Pact,” featuring a poignant cover photo of the two protagonists. Additionally, NCP included an insightful preface by Imam Mikail Saahir, impactful excerpts from Lubich and Imam W.D. Mohammed, and inspiring accounts of NextNow, a group of young people dedicated to fulfilling the pact between Muslims and Christians. This collection serves as a testament to interethnic, interreligious, and intergenerational solidarity.
The book launch occurred last Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Italian time, conducted entirely online. Approximately forty listening points, primarily Islamic centers or Focolare offices, were connected, with participants ranging from 4 or 5 to nearly forty at each location. Furthermore, around five hundred individuals followed the event via YouTube. The hour and forty-minute meeting was lively, facilitated by the younger generation, and featured contributions from witnesses of the ‘Pact’ era and those currently involved in its realization. Numerous joint initiatives for the future were announced, punctuating the book launch within the program.
During the event, I fielded questions concerning the motivation behind writing the book, strategies for expanding the ‘Pact’ to individuals of diverse faiths, personal reflections on the most engaging parts of the text, and approaches to maintaining fidelity to the Pact. My responses were heartfelt, underscoring the prophetic significance of that historical moment, particularly in the context of discussions about a ‘clash of civilizations.’ Above all, I emphasized the profound impact of the younger generation, as exemplified by NextNow, whose commitment signifies a beacon of hope carrying forward the legacy of two visionary leaders from the previous century.
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The book can be ordered from Amazon.
