In 2002 a series of landmark intellectual and theological dialogues began, with the aim of fostering greater mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims. These conferences were initiated by the Mennonite Central Committee and Iranian Red Crescent organizations. On Being Human offers the proceedings of the fifth such dialogue.

In addition to serving as a historical record of the fifth theological conference of Mennonite Christian and Shi’ite Muslim scholars, the collection and publication of these essays show how Mennonite and Shi‘ite scholars seek to make themselves understood to those of other traditions without assuming any expertise in the histories and theologies of those addressed. The essays thus reflect the authors’ ideas of how best to convey what they hold to be not only their personal beliefs, but the beliefs of their communities, to an audience that is not expected to share these beliefs.

Surprises abound as discussions reveal astonishing similarities across denominational lines – and differences in basic concepts where similarities were assumed. The authors do not attempt to prove that their views are correct or that those of their dialogue partners are wrong. So the essays may also be read as an invitation to explore the issues in dialogue with Mennonite Christians and Shi‘ah and to observe the similarities and differences displayed in the thinking of Mennonites and Shi‘ah, both in contrast to one another and within each group.

Dr. Harry Huebner is professor emeritus of Theology, Philosophy and Ethics at Canadian Mennonite University.

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Hajj Muhammad Legenhausen is an American philosopher who teaches at Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute in Qom, Iran. Born and educated in the US, he converted to Islam in 1983 adult, after studying Shi'a Islam. The author of Islam and Religious Pluralism, he is an advocate of interfaith dialogue.

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