Nostra Aetate through the Eyes of an African Muslim: Reflections on Dialogue, Respect, and Shared Humanity
Dr. Adan Jarso Golole, a Senior Lecturer and Academic Program leader at the School of Education and Social Sciences at Umma University in Kajiado County-Kenya, offered a thoughtful Islamic reflection on the interfaith Declaration Nostra Aetate, emphasizing shared humanity, dialogue, and respect among religions. He noted that the Declaration’s opening appeal to “mankind” resonates deeply with Islamic teaching, particularly the Qur’anic verses revealed in Makkah that address all people regardless of faith. He observed that this inclusive vision reminds believers that, beyond spiritual differences, humanity is united by common social, political, and economic challenges.
From an Islamic point of view, Dr. Golole explained that Nostra Aetate invites people of all faiths to focus on what unites them, for instance, shared struggles, shared values, and the divine origin of all creation. “We need each other now more than before,” he said, “to overcome the human conditions of today.”
Reflecting on interreligious dialogue, Dr. Golole raised a profound question of if each religion claims to hold the truth, can there be multiple “paths” to truth, or should dialogue instead focus on mutual respect and cultural understanding? He proposed that dialogue should not seek to erase doctrinal differences but to promote unity, learning, and coexistence.
“Dialogue,” he said, “is a solution, not by digging into differences, but by focusing on what we share.” Such dialogue, he emphasized, encourages mutual understanding, respect, and acceptance. It allows believers to learn about each other’s traditions without fear or prejudice. “A Christian can visit a mosque, and a Muslim can sit in a church,” he noted, “because both are houses of God.”
Dr. Golole further reflected that Nostra Aetate reminds all people that they belong to one human community, created by God. This awareness, he said, “creates love through difference,” opening a “window” to appreciate other faiths while remaining grounded in one’s own beliefs.
Teaching interreligious dialogue for several years, Dr. Golole underscored that true dialogue begins with respect and recognition, whereby we respect others as human beings and acknowledge their right to their own faith. He affirmed that learning about another religion does not threaten one’s belief; rather, it deepens understanding and empathy.
Finally, he highlighted Nostra Aetate’s acknowledgment of the historical tensions between Christians and Muslims, urging participants not to dwell on the past but to build a future rooted in peace, justice, and moral welfare. “We learn history not to seek revenge,” he concluded, “but to promote peace and shared humanity.”
By Pamela Adinda, HUC International Office and Communications Coordinator
