“A Model for Peacemaking: In the Footprints of Francis & the Sultan”


Date posted: August 2, 2013

The Dialogue Institute of the Southwest co-sponsored a video production called “In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan: A Model for Peacemaking”, which aims to advance interfaith dialogue and understanding between Christians and Muslims.

This film explores about a little-known peace initiative in the Middle East involving Francis of Assisi and Malek al-Kamil in 1219. In the summer of that year, Francis took it upon himself to cross battle lines and reach out to the enemy. These countercultural efforts of Francis, a simple friar, and Malek al-Kamil, the leader of the Muslim forces of the Levant, made them most unusual in their time. This video uses the story of their meeting to help us negotiate our difficult interfaith encounters and other misunderstanding and hostility between peoples.

The film was produced by Hartfilms in Los Angeles for Franciscan Media in Cincinnati. Major support for the research was provided by the Dialogue Institute of the Southwest and the Catholic Communications Campaign.

A segment of the video can be watched here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bWly_lBJTA

Source: Dialogue Institute of the Southwest


Related News

Turkish Canadian institute presents peace and dialogue awards

The Intercultural Dialogue Institute (IDI), a group founded by Canadians of Turkish descent, has presented its first peace and dialogue awards at a ceremony in Toronto.

Reflections on Hizmet Movement at conference in Taiwan

The Formosa Institute held an international conference on “The Hizmet Movement and the thought and teachings of Fethullah Gulen: contributions to multiculturalism and global peace” at National Taiwan University (NTU) this weekend. The conference aimed to explore the impact of the Hizmet movement on education, dialogue and peace, with a focus on transcending traditional boundaries […]

66 U.S. senators sign letter asking Turkey to release Pastor Andrew Brunson

The letter, signed by 43 Republicans and 23 Democrats, warned that the U.S. may decide to take unspecified measures” to ensure that Turkish government “respects the rights” of U.S. citizens to remain in Turkey without fear of being persecuted.

Norwegian Christian leader: Islamophobia not just fear, includes hatred

SEVGI AKARÇEŞME, İSTANBUL Gunnar Stalsett, the bishop emeritus of Oslo, warned about a hatred of Islam at a joint panel discussion organized by the Abant Platform and Fountain Magazine in İstanbul on Friday. “When I hear the word ‘Islamophobia,’ I think it is too mild. There is a hatred of Islam. It is not only […]

Turkish expats in Singapore concerned over state of emergency back home

Dr Nawab says: “What is more accurate is to describe it as a community of people who, perhaps, subscribe to the ideas of Fethullah Gulen. “They put in a lot of effort to integrate within Singapore society. Many of them are married to Singaporeans and are naturalised citizens. I am talking about Turks who would take you to durian parties.”

Monday Talk with Michael Rubin on Trump, Iran and Turkey

There is a rule-of-law in the United States and a process which the president simply does not have the power to short-circuit. If Gulen is turned over, however, I suspect relations will get worse because the extradition will convince Erdogan that blackmail and bluster work.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Hizmet contribution to global peace discussed in Addis Ababa

Kimse Yok Mu launches large-scale aid campaign for Syrian refugees

The state, AKP, Religious Affairs Directorate, Alevis and rights

“Hizmet” movement, the current tensions and self-criticism (Interview with Ihsan Yilmaz)

Fethullah Gulen will be awarded the prestigious Manhae Grand Prize

Gulen-inspired school raided by Turkish diplomats, Turkish soldiers in Afghanistan

Fethullah Gülen’s photo

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News