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:
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