On Tuesday 1st April, the eleventh NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC-11) examined the topic of interreligious dialogue, by hosting representatives from the three major monotheistic religions: Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
The speakers were warmly welcomed by Colonel G. Morabito (ITA A), Head of the Middle East Faculty (MEF), who introduced them.
The first lecture was given by Dr Yahya Ahmad Salman Jalal, Dean’s Assistant for Quality and Development at the Faculty of Shari’ah (University of Jordan), who provided an extensive overview of the origins of Islam, as well as explanations on its concepts and beliefs. The second presentation was supplied by the Counselor for the World Jewry and Inter-Faith Division of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and former Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republics of Uzbekistan & Tajikistan, Dr Hillel Newman, who spoke about the origins and characteristics of Judaism, reviewing the Commandments and the values of his faith. The final address was provided by the Reverend Father Owen F. Keenan, from the Vatican Secretariat of State, who offered valuable information on the main precepts of Christianity.
A very interesting Q&A session took place afterwards, during which Course Members had the chance to pursue a constructive and stimulating discussion, identifying the common values shared by all three religions, such as love, peace and brotherhood.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Valentina Ferrandu, ITA C)
NATO Defense College 
