Religious Research

Religious Research

Imam Musa al-Sadr's Models for Rapprochement in Establishing Peaceful Coexistence Between Muslims and Christians

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Javad Vafaei Moghani
PhD Graduate in Philosophy of Religion and New Theological Issues, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jrr.2025.503770.2257
Abstract
Rapprochement [or approximation] (taqrīb) and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, as one of the historical and religious concerns, has always been emphasized by religious teachings and the efforts of religious scholars. Imam Musa al-Sadr [Mūsā al-Ṣadr], as one of the prominent figures in the field of interfaith rapprochement, particularly in the interaction between Muslims and Christians, provided a successful model in this area based on deep Islamic foundations and religious frameworks. From his perspective, interfaith rapprochement not only requires extensive scholarly and practical efforts but must also be based on a correct understanding of religious foundations and respect for the red lines of both religions. This article, using an analytical-descriptive method, examines six models of rapprochement by Imam Musa al-Sadr: "1) A non-discriminatory view towards Muslims and Christians, 2) emphasizing unity as a fundamental principle, 3) creating conditions to reduce sectarianism, 4) establishing constructive relationships with Christians, 5) intelligence in discourse formation, and 6) facilitating dialogue and joint meetings." The findings of this research indicate that his approaches can be used as an effective model for strengthening peaceful coexistence and promoting interfaith dialogue.
Keywords
Imam Musa al-Sadr [Mūsā al-Ṣadr], interfaith rapprochement [approximation], constructive dialogue, peaceful coexistence, Islam and Christianity
Subjects
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