On March 17 2023, the Foundation for Islamic Studies (SIS e.V.) in cooperation with the Al-Mustafa Institute will host an Interfaith Dialogue.

Interfaith Dialogue has become increasingly important since the beginning of the 21st century. This was initially due to the fact that since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, terrorists who claimed religious motives for their actions have been permanently present in the Western media, and there has been constant talk of a "clash of civilizations". In this situation, it was a matter of breaking down prejudices and restoring trust through encounters and exchanges. Since then, with migration, especially the great wave of refugees in 2015, and armed conflicts in which religion also plays a role, new, complicated problems have emerged that underscore the need for such dialogue. In our days, when war is being waged again in Europe and when the whole world seems to be coming apart at the seams, such a dialogue seems more necessary than ever.

Since common prayer and worship are often rejected, academic exchange has an important role to play in pointing out possibilities for cooperation. Our Interreligious Dialogue is about academics of the Abrahamic religions meeting on an academic level and having a respectful and critical exchange of views.

As the theme of this year's (online) Interfaith Dialogue event, we have chosen to take a closer look at the question "What is a perfect human being?" from the different perspectives of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Perfection is commonly understood to be a state that cannot be further improved upon. At the center of ancient and medieval conceptions is the notion of entelechy. In Christian theology, Thomas Aquinas differentiated the concept of perfection into flawlessness and completion (integritas sive perfectio).

Proven experts are to work out differences and similarities on an academic level. The subject of the dialogue will ultimately be "being human," and we hope that on this topic in particular we will come to a conclusion that brings together rather than divides.