Monday, July 29, 2013

ISLAM: Marian devotions bring Muslims to Christian shrine

Marian devotions bring Muslims to Christian shrine

CWN - July 26, 2013

        
       
Millions of Muslims make pilgrimages to Marian shrines every year, reports Father Samir Khalil Samir.

Devotion to the Virgin Mary is quite strong in Islam, notes the Vatican expert in a revealing analysis for the AsiaNews service. He notes: "The spiritual dialogue between Christians and Muslims is much more promising than cultural, theological, or political dialogue."

While some Islamic sects are hostile to all manifestations of Christian belief, countless Muslims cherish a belief in the healing powers of Marian shrines. Pilgrimages are particularly popular in Egypt, and thousands of Muslims have been attracted to reported apparitions of the Virgin.

Muslims also maintain a lively belief in the power of evil, Father Samir reports, and many are interested in the Catholic ritual of exorcism.


Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.