Unity: A Divine Masterpiece by Dr Shomali, Loppiano, 12th of Dec 2023

Thank you very much, in the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful. I am profoundly grateful to God for being back here in Loppiano for the 12th round of Wings of Unity, a joint project of dialogue and research which brings together Christian and Muslim scholars academics. We initiated this journey in 2016, and despite the challenges, including the impact of COVID, we have managed to gather 12 times in 7 years.

During the pandemic, while most activities transitioned to Zoom, Wings of Unity remained an exception. We recognized the importance of being together, and even with a brief gap, we resumed our gatherings.

Today, I want to share a brief overview of my journey with Focolare.  First walking and then after Wings of Unity flying!

I first encountered the Focolare movement around 1997-1998. Initially, I visited several Focolare houses in different cities in the UK and participated in the Mariapolis summer meetings for the first time in 1998 where, as a Muslim family, we were in the midst of 700 Christians. In 1999, my family and I visited Italy for the first time, where more than 300 Muslims from around the world were invited by the movement. The programme included a day visit to Loppiano which of course, I had never seen before but I had heard that this is the place where everyone tries to live the spirituality of unity. From my childhood, I always had a dream of something like this.

This initial connection with Loppiano left a lasting impression on me. Over time, my visits to Loppiano increased, and I often joke saying that visiting Loppiano can be addictive. It’s my love for the people here that brings me back repeatedly. Loppiano, to me, is like an oasis in a world that can often feel like a desert.

Our connection with Focolare has deepened over the years, leading to friendships with individuals from various Christian denominations. I genuinely believe that Focolare is the best partner for unity. We are not visitors here; we are on a serious mission, a mission that transcends religious boundaries and focuses on the universal mission of God.

Our aim is to offer a joint witness to the world, to show that despite our clear identities as Muslims and Christians, our main identity comes from God. We want to invite people to reconnect with God, emphasizing that it’s not about converting to Islam or Christianity but returning to God.

We have a great responsibility to work for unity, for God, and for the betterment of humanity. As Pope Francis said, we need continuous purification, not just from selfish motives but even from religious egoism. Our only focus should be the will of God.

In conclusion, I express my gratitude to God and to all of you for allowing God to be present in our gatherings. Each person’s presence here is a sign of our shared commitment to a higher purpose – the mission of God.