In Italy, Georgetown's Muslim chaplain discusses religious tolerance

Published: 2004-05-06

ROME (CNS) -- The Muslim chaplain at the Jesuit-run Georgetown University in Washington visited Italy in early May to talk about religious pluralism in the United States. Imam Yahya Hendi's trip to Italy was sponsored by the U.S. State Department and included meetings with journalists, community leaders, Italian Muslims and Catholics involved in interreligious dialogue through the Vatican or through Rome's Catholic universities. "We have a wonderful American story to tell," said Hendi during a May 5 luncheon. Hendi said the media focus so much on tensions between religious communities that they ignore all the positive stories of tolerance, respect, dialogue and sharing that take place in cities across the United States each day. The imam said Georgetown is the only university in the United States that pays a Muslim cleric to be a full-time member of its campus ministry staff.

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