The Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI)

The Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, known by its Latin or Italian acronym PISAI, is ‎marking 50 years of  its presence in Rome.  Originally started in Tunisia by the Society of Missionaries ‎of Africa (M.Afr), or the White Fathers after their white habit, the training centre prepared missionaries with a ‎background of Arabic and Muslim culture.   Today, PISAI is a study and research centre whose ‎teaching and scientific activities provide the necessary preparation for an informed theological dialogue ‎with Muslims.  PISAI marked the 50th anniversary of its opening in Rome with an international ‎conference, Jan. 22-24, on the theme, “Studying and Understanding the Religion of the Other. ‎Towards Mutual Recognition between Religions and Cultures in Today’s World.”   At the end of the ‎conference, the participants had an audience with Pope Francis on Saturday.   Well, to know more ‎about the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, we talked to Fr. Paul Hannon, a White ‎Father from the UK who teaches at PISAI.  We first asked him how it all began.‎ Listen: