Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims

Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims
Coat of arms of the Holy See
Commission overview
Formed1974; 52 years ago (1974)
TypeCommission
Headquarters
  • Via della Conciliazione 5 00193 Rome, Italy
Commission executives
  • Cardinal George Koovakad,
    Prefect
  • Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage,
    Vice-Prefect
  • Fr. Laurent Basanese SJ,
    Secretary

The Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims is a body within the Roman Curia tasked with maintaining positive theological ties with Muslims, established in 1974 by Pope Paul VI. It is a distinct unit set within the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and the Prefect of the dicastery is also Prefect of the commission, currently held by Cardinal George Koovakad. The Secretary of the dicastery serves as the vice-prefect for the commission currently held by Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage, who has held this position since 2019.

The Secretary of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims, who heads the office was Msgr. Khaled Akasheh, who was appointed on 16 June 2003 and held office until 2024. The current Secretary of the Commission is Fr. Laurent Basanese SJ, who was appointed on 1st June 2025, and who also serves as the bureau chief of the dicastery.

The commission has its own consultors, who are appointed by the pope.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims". GCatholic. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  2. ↑ "Monsignor Khaled Akasheh". KAICIID Dialogue Centre. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  3. ↑ "Rinunce e Nomine, 16.06.2020" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 16 June 2003. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "Commission Religious Relations Muslims". Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
  5. ↑ Columban Missionaries Ireland, Pope Leo Appoints Columban Fr Pat McInerney to Interfaith Commission, published on 16 October 2025, accessed on 24 May 2026