Islam and Fraternity: From Declaration to Practice
This volume brings together a series of scholarly contributions examining the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in 2019 by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyeb, and reflects on its reception several years after its proclamation in Abu Dhabi. Originating from an international congress held in Abu Dhabi, the publication explores how the notion of fraternity has been interpreted, debated, and reconfigured across religious, legal, philosophical, and socio-political contexts.
The Document on Human Fraternity marked a significant moment in the history of contemporary interreligious relations, proposing an unprecedented vision of fraternity grounded in faith in a common Creator and in the equal dignity of all human beings. This volume revisits the text in light of subsequent debates, examining both its doctrinal foundations and its concrete implications for relations between religious traditions. Particular attention is given to the understanding of fraternity as an inclusive “we”, open to pluralism and respectful of the diversity of beliefs.
Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the contributions bring together scholars from diverse academic traditions and geographical contexts. By combining theological inquiry with perspectives from philosophy, history, law, sociology, and political thought, the volume offers a nuanced and critical engagement with fraternity—not as an abstract ideal, but as a lived and contested concept. The authors also explore the obstacles to its implementation in contexts marked by mistrust, identity conflicts, or exclusive interpretations of religion.
Rather than advancing a single narrative, the volume reflects the plurality of interpretations that characterize contemporary discussions on interreligious coexistence, alterity, and citizenship. In doing so, it contributes to a broader reflection on fraternity as both a shared horizon and a common challenge, extending beyond strictly religious affiliations.
The research and editorial work presented in this publication were developed within the framework of the Anawati Chair (2023–2027), supported by the European Union, which provides an academic space for critical research on religion, pluralism, and citizenship, in partnership with the PLURIEL network.
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