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| (St. Francis and the Sultan) |
That is because it harkens back to the historic meeting between Saint Francis of Assisi and Sultan Malik al-Kamil of Egypt during the Fifth Crusade in 1219 CE.
Irving Karchmar of Darvish tells us that during this 13th-century era the "Holy Roman Empire" was locked into a "culture of war." Not only did city fight city within the empire, but "the empire united in a series of Crusades against Moslems, Jews and 'heretics.'"
It was within this virulent political climate that St. Francis dared to wage peace. His first step was to implore the Christian commander, Cardinal Pelagius, to cease fighting.
When Pelagius refused, St. Francis risked it all by setting out unarmed (along with Brother Illuminatus) into "enemy" ranks to beg the same of Sultan al-Kamil.
When they were later dragged (beaten and exhausted) before the Sultan, al-Kamil displayed curiosity about their motives. According to Saint Bonaventure, "Francis replied that they had been sent by God, not by men… to
proclaim the truth of the Gospel message."
Karchmar further explains that because Francis shared his "good news" with the Sultan "without insulting Islam or refuting Mohammed," both leaders were transformed.
It is said that Francis was particularly impressed by "the Moslem five times daily prayer" and subsequently urged Christians to make prayer a greater part of their daily lives. It is also said that the Sultan began to treat Christian prisoners "with unprecedented kindness and
generosity."
These interfaith friendships of so long ago can hopefully inspire today's leaders to set similar examples. The Italian Islamic Religious Community has already stated that the chosen name "Francis" can serve as an important
reminder.
Resources
http://news.yahoo.com/european-muslims-see-dialogue-hope-pope-name-172602301.html
http://darvish.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/st-francis-meets-sultan-malik-al-kamil/
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