What’s the difference between a conversation and a discussion? A discussion is focused on a single topic, and is conceptual and argumentative in form. A conversation is free-flowing and unfocused, its structure supported by positive feelings which enhance the exchange between the participants. In a single word, one is a debate; the other is a dialogue.

Victor Edwin, the editor of this volume has transcribed 26 conversations in this collection, interviews which he has done over the years, dialogues between Christians and Muslims. Each conversation is situated in a setting of friendliness, and the answers to Edwin’s probing questions reveal honesty and humility, valuable information about the many worlds of the Muslims, and of the Christians who encounter them.

First, some preliminary remarks: it would have been good to keep a balance in numbers of Christian and Muslim speakers. As it is, there are four times as many Christians interviewed as there are Muslims (20:5), and of the 20 Christians only two are Indian Christians (to be fair, there are also only three native Indian Muslims!), and in the whole collection just one woman – a Polish Catholic scholar! I point this out with reason. It seems that the opinions expressed are more those of Western scholars than those familiar with the problems of Islam in the subcontinent. But this volume is meant for South-Asian readers.

The important thing is to move from prejudices and stereotypes to appreciation, understanding and mutual support – this is the very purpose of dialogue, specially the kind of dialogue of which the book provides many examples: of life and of scholarship.

I can’t help feeling that Western Christians (and Muslims domiciled in Western countries) are accommodating in their perspectives of what Islam is and Muslims are. But South-Asians – both Christian and Muslims – are much more fundamentalist and rigid regarding each other and towards interpretations of their own faith. I call this attitude ‘medieval’ and apply it across the board to all religions in South Asia – Christian, Muslim, and Hindu. Until we in South-Asia are able to create and sustain a movement of rational critique against the oppression of our religious practices, books like this one may “seek communion”, but sadly will find only indifference, if not outright hostility.

• Myron J. Pereira, SJ

Title: Seeking Communion: A Collection of Conversations
Author: Joseph Victor Edwin, SJ
Publication: Delhi, ISPCK and Hyderabad, Henry Martyn Institute, 2018
Price: Rs 250/ $ 18 | Pages: 181
To order copies: Contact publisher

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