Integration of Religion and Human Sciences

Last 25th October I had the privilege to take part in a stimulating conversation organised by Sophia University Institute and the International Islamic University of Malaysia on the theme of ecology and spiritual values in Islam and Christianity.

During the webinar, Prof. Dr Waleed Faris (Professor in Mechanical Engineering & Aerospace Department, Faculty of Engineering, IIUM, Malaysia) presented a fascinating paper on ecology and environment from the perspective of 11th-century Muslim scholar Al Ghazali, one of the most prominent and influential philosophers, theologians, jurists, and mystics of Sunni Islam.

My task was to present a Christian perspective moving from the teaching of Pope Francis, with particular reference to his encyclical letter Laudato Si and the more recent apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum.
The dialogue was moderated by Prof. Dr. Bernhard Callebaut Full Professor of Social Sciences at Sophia University.

I felt that our conversation converged on several points, particularly on the vision of spiritual and theological understanding that underpins our ecological action. In both traditions, nature emerges in fact as a sacred reality that carries a spiritual and metaphysical significance pointing beyond itself, ultimately towards God.
The shared vision of Al Ghazali and Pope Francis on Nature persuaded me even more that only by redefining the reference of the cosmos to God it is possible to overcome the dramatic opposition between human beings and nature in which we seem to be stuck as a culture and shape a new spiritual enviromentalism that could motivate many.

The recording of the webinar is available on the Sophia University Institute YouTube channel.