Does Islam consider itself “missionary” by definition?
Father Samir: Just as it is essential to Christianity to want to transmit the Gospel to all, so for the Muslim it is also essential to transmit the Koran. Up to here it is justifiable and right. The problem arises when the manner of proceeding is aggressive. Problems arise when a Christian, in the desire to proclaim Christ and the Gospel to the whole world, does so — even if slightly — in an aggressive way or with contempt for those who do not have the same view of the world. If I know I have discovered something beautiful, and out of love and friendship want to transmit it, there is no problem, so long as I do so with absolute freedom for all. What is more, it becomes an act of fraternity and love. Q: Some wish to do it by ways that are far from peace. Father Samir: Today we often see how some wish to spread Islam through means that are not always peaceful. At one time, it was even by war. I think that when we speak of war we must not say, “But the Christians undertook Crusades,” be
