Journeying along the Path of Jacob: A Perspective of a Muslim Traveler
In an unusual move for an Islamic scholar, Mouhanad Khorchide, a professor of Islamic religious pedagogy at the University of Münster, recently embarked on a Christian pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. This decision marks a departure from the Hajj, the obligatory Islamic pilgrimage, and offers a unique perspective on interfaith understanding.
Born in Beirut in 1971 and raised in Saudi Arabia, Khorchide studied Islamic theology and sociology in Beirut and Vienna. He has since become a renowned figure in interfaith dialogue, serving as the Principal Investigator of the Excellence Cluster "Religion and Politics in the Cultures of Pre-Modernity and Modernity" at the University of Münster and heading the Center for Islamic Theology.
In 2011, Khorchide took on the role of coordinator of the Graduate College for Islamic Theology of the Mercator Foundation. His recent book, "A Muslim on the Camino" (Herder 2024), provides an entertaining account of his experiences and insights during his Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
The book details his paths, detours, encounters, and conversations during his journey, offering a fresh perspective on Christian pilgrimage. Khorchide's approach to the Santiago pilgrimage differs from the Hajj due to its voluntary nature and flexibility, allowing for personal interpretation and reflection rather than strict ritual compliance.
Walking the Camino de Santiago became a journey of self-discovery for Khorchide, leading him to new understandings of Christian pilgrimage. His book offers insights into Christianity’s lived spirituality and how pilgrimage serves as a means of inner transformation and connection, comparable in some respects but different in form and theological meaning from Islamic pilgrimage.
On the open evening, taking place at the Johanneskirche, Khorchide will share more about his experiences and the insights he gained during his Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. The open evening is a collaboration between the Protestant Church of Elberfeld-Südstadt and the Catholic Adult Education Center, and the speaker and topic for the event have yet to be specified.
Attendees can expect an enlightening discussion on interfaith dialogue, personal growth, and the transformative power of pilgrimage. For those interested in learning more about Khorchide's journey and insights, his book "A Muslim on the Camino" (Herder 2024) offers a compelling read.
Khorchide's book, "A Muslim on the Camino" (Herder 2024), includes narratives about his voluntary pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, providing a unique exploration of different lifestyle practices and travel experiences rooted in Christian and Islamic contexts. The transformative journey documented in the book illuminates the connection between personal growth, interfaith understanding, and the transcendent nature of pilgrimage.
