Turkey

Children of Abraham

Followers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam hold many values and traditions in common: All regard themselves as children of Abraham. All are “People of the Book”. Christians, Muslims and Jews all worship one God. Yet people of faith often find it difficult to cross the many barriers of tradition, history and culture that divide them. Separation and lack of understanding can breed misunderstanding, fear and hostility.

The Pilgrimage Project seeks to break down these barriers by providing Jews, Christians and Muslims with a shared faith experience – a pilgrimage. This shared journey will lead to finding common ground with each other, resulting in mutual understanding and cooperation.

On pilgrimage toward common ground Father Abraham wandered from Ur through the desert seeking God. From the Hebrew people struggling through the wilderness toward the promised land to Muslims on Hajj to Chaucer’s pilgrims telling tales on the way to Canterbury, pilgrimage has deep roots in Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Pilgrims travel together to places of sacred importance where spiritual enrichment can take place.

The Pilgrimage Project is a new twist on this old idea – a shared pilgrimage by people of different faiths to places that have special significance for each tradition. In sharing this sacred journey, Pilgrims learn to understand and appreciate others’ faith. Like the pilgrims in Canterbury Tales, they share stories and probe for deeper understanding.

Each pilgrimage includes pilgrims who are Jewish, Muslim and Christian, with a leader from each faith. During the ten-day journey, group discussions and personal encounters help people break down barriers and move past their fears of the unknown. Pilgrims come to understand each other’s beliefs and practices and return home better equipped to live together in our religiously diverse world. And so the journey continues, with those who joined hands to travel together pledging to continue to work for greater cooperation, justice, goodness and peace upon returning home.