Says World Needs His Example of Humility
FAMAGUSTA, Cyprus, MAY 9, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The faith of St. Francis has drawn a Muslim historian to Italy, furthering her studies of the medieval Franciscan Order.
Neslihan Senocak, an assistant professor of history, at the Eastern Mediterranean University in north Cyprus, received a scholarship from the Vatican's Nostra Aetate Foundation to pursue her studies at the Pontifical Antonianum University.
Senocak was awarded her doctorate in history from Bilkent University, Turkey, in 2002, with her dissertation focusing on the relationship of medieval Franciscans to the intellectual world.
Speaking with ZENIT, Senocak explained why St. Francis says something to her as a Muslim historian: "My interest in St. Francis is within the context of my interest in the history of the medieval Franciscan Order, whose many members could not stay away from learning and scholarship despite Francis' initial emphasis on simplicity and humility.
"I was attracted to the history of the Franciscan Order because it is the story of individual devotion, determination and piety transformed in a gigantic international movement with thousands of followers."
Senocak continued: "St. Francis is an extremely important figure in the medieval history and literature, but he is also a 'classic,' in the sense that his story has and will always have an appeal to people of whatever period and region.
"I personally admire St. Francis, and his principles, and believe that anyone of whichever religion can find a wealth of insight about how to attain virtue in Francis' life and sayings.
"His emphasis on humility as the primary virtue, one that unlocks all other doors of virtue, deserves serious attention in a world where we are constantly taught self-confidence and pride."
She added: "Francis was right. So many actions what the seculars would consider immoral, and the religious would consider sin, are rooted in having an inflated opinion of one's self."
Christian-Muslim dialogue
Senocak was awarded a scholarship that sponsors non-Christians studying Christian subjects. She said that "such scholarships are central to the foundation of a dialogue, since it is impossible for any two communities to establish a bond if they do not know each other and, even worse, if they have negative prejudices about each other."
Senocak explained: "If there is to be a dialogue between a Christian and a Muslim, I do not see why it should differ from any other kind of dialogue or friendship with establish in our lives."
Code: ZE07050922
Date: 2007-05-09