On Spirituality: Essays from the Third Shii Muslim Mennonite Christian Dialogue, Edited by M. Darrol Bryant, Susan Kennel Harrison, and A. James Reimer
2010. 250 pp. ISBN 978-1-926599-13-7
"The ideas presented point to either basic similarities between Mennonite Christians and Shi’a Muslims, or basic differences. Submission, spiritual poverty and the journey inward to find meaning in mystical experience are all there in both religious traditions. But the application of spirituality to political life and the daily ritual practices of all Muslims, compared with a low view of ritual by many Mennonite Christians, show deep differences." – The Canadian Mennonite
"Dialogue has become acceptable, but real meeting and real exchange remains difficult.… If we decide in advance that this or that group can or cannot be part of the dialogue of dialogues, then we have broken faith with the fundamental premise of dialogue itself. If we respect these minimal requirements, then we can build the bridges of understanding and relationships of trust that facilitate healing in our broken world. The Mennonite community is to be commended for its willingness to go where few others have dared to tread, namely into dialogue with the Shi’a community. And that applies reciprocally for the Shi’a community that was willing to engage Mennonite Christians in dialogue. It is always risky to meet, since preconceptions might be overturned, stereotypes shattered, and fears altered; everyone will be changed by the encounter. It seems to me that they have discovered something vitally important to our global community: that peace in the human family begins with a hand outstretched in welcome to one another and with a word that acknowledges the dignity of all." – M. Darrol Bryant, from the postscript