April 16, 2019 – Shaykh Abdool Rahman Khan, co-chairs the National Catholic Muslim Dialog with Cardinal Blase Cupich. Below is the letter he wrote expressing his thoughts on the burning of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Respected Cardinal Cupich,
It is with great sadness that we learnt about the fire that gutted a great portion of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Our thoughts and well wishes go out to all our Christian brethren and particularly our Catholic partners in faith.
Indeed it is a symbol of remarkable glory of medieval architecture and above all how such detailed architecture connects with asceticism and spirituality. Having entered a cathedral while in secondary school in my country of origin I do know the feeling one gets as he enters the door and is in awe with the high ceilings and the stained glass windows and the stories they tell. I have had the opportunity to see the Notre Dame Cathedral while on a tour boat along the Siene River on my way to Hajj. It was so welcoming.
We hope and pray that the world can come together to feel a sense of unity as our places of worship fall victims to destruction whatever the cause may be.
I conclude with the words from The Qur’an as translated:
For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty. (40)
Sh. Abdool Rahman Khan
Co-Chair, National Catholic Muslim Dialog
Cardinal Blase Joseph Cupich is an American prelate of the Catholic Church, a cardinal who serves as the ninth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Shaykh Abdool Rahman Khan currently directs the national ICNA Tarbiyah Department. He is also the Chairman of ICNA Shari’ah Council and an executive member of the Fiqh Council of North America.
