Embracing the "Other" as an Extension of the Self: Muslim Reflections on the Epistle to the Hebrews 13:2

There is an urgent need for interfaith dialogue to get past cucumber sandwiches and samoosas to the real business of truly loving each other and embracing “the other” as an extension of ourselves. One way of moving interreligious dialogue to a higher level of engagement beyond mere “tolerance” to deeper, more enduring interreligious cooperation is to read and embrace the sacred texts of religious traditions other than one’s own for inspiration. Most religious traditions celebrate hospitality and welcoming of the stranger. This paper explores such an ethical and moral teaching within Christianity. The search is undertaken by a Muslim scholar.