JCU Interfaith Initiative Welcomes Dr. Fadi Daou and Dr. Nayla Tabbara of the Adyan Foundation

Dr. Fadi Daou And Dr. Nayla Tabbara of the Adyan Foundation

On January 22nd, the John Cabot University Interfaith Initiative held the second event in its International Scholar Series on Interfaith Dialogue. JCU had the privilege to host Dr. Fadi Daou, and Dr. Nayla Tabbara, Chairs of Lebanon’s Adyan Foundation for a lecture entitled: “Beyond Dialogue, Spiritual Solidarity Versus Extremism: The Experience of Adyan Foundation.”

Dr. Daou, a Maronite priest, and Dr. Tabbara, a Muslim Theologian, have recently written Divine Hospitality (Lit: 2013) together and their efforts to promote inter-religious education, scholarship and spiritual solidarity in the region have won the Adyan Foundation several international peace awards.

Professor Michael Driessen warmly introduced Dr. Fadi Daou and Dr. Nayla Tabbara, and stressed the importance of interfaith conversations and dialogue, as demonstrated through the work of the Adyan Foundation, a Lebanese non-profit organization working towards inter-religious scholarship and spiritual solidarity.

The representatives of the Adyan Foundation spoke about the Adyan’s work in Lebanon to promote inter-religious education together with values of citizenship. They further elaborated on the relevance of inter-religious dialogue in relation to the current Muslim community in Europe, and showcased a brief film outlining the work of the foundation.

Following the lecture, a round table discussion between the two guest speakers and six JCU students (Samantha Abear, Neal Huddon-Cossar, Chadiedja Buijs, Lynette Quezada, Hazel Ebenezer, and Chiara Di Maio) took place. Dr. Tabbara and Dr. Daou also addressed questions from the general audience, before the event came to a close with a small reception.

The event was sponsored by the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See in Rome.