The historical relationship between Muslims and Christians dates back to the seventh century C.E., when Islam began to spread throughout the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent; by the early eighth century, parts of Europe were under Muslim control. Consequently, this Special Issue seeks to understand Christian–Muslim interactions over the centuries. Recent studies of Syriac texts reveal early interactions between Christians and Muslims, the beginning of centuries of Christian–Muslim dialogues, debates, and perspectives that continue into the present day.

We invite submissions that will examine how Christians and Muslims have interacted in different contexts over the past 1400 years. We anticipate that most articles will be historical in nature. Some articles, though, may explore contemporary paths for rebuilding relationships between Muslims and Christians in pursuit of mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence.

Some possible topics include the following:

Exploration of past historical relationships between Muslims and Christians.
Biblical ways of reorienting Christian–Muslim relationships.
Qur’anic perspectives on Christians and their historical impact.
The Crusades and their impact.
Conservative Christian evangelical theology and Islam.
Various Christian–Muslim dialogues, debates, and perspectives over the centuries (e.g. John of Damascus; Patriarch Timothy I and Caliph Al-Mahdi; Abū Qurra and Caliph al- Ma’mūn; Thomas Aquinas; Ibn Tamiya; Ramon Lull; Nicholas of Cusa; Ludovico Marracci, etc.).

Case studies of peaceful Muslim–Christian coexistence.
Case studies of Christian–Muslim conflicts.
Christian–Muslim relations in particular countries or regions.
Persecution and implementation of Shariah Law.
The role of European missionaries in the past and their relations with Muslims.
The role of the Catholic Church in Muslim–Christian dialogues.
Dialogical ways of restoring relationships in the twenty-first century.
Mutual Christian–Muslim pursuits of peace and prosperity.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send these materials to the Guest Editors, Dr. Robert Fastiggi (fastiggi.robert@shms.edu), and the Assistant Guest Editor, Rev. Aftab Yunis Hakim (aftabyunis@gmail.com).

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/religions/special_issues/5DR0C8A4UM 

Deadline for abstract submission: April 30, 2026
Deadline for full manuscript submission: August 31, 2026

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Robert Fastiggi
Guest Editor

Rev. Aftab Yunis Hakim
Guest Editor Assistant
Affiliation: Lahore College of Theology, Lahore, Pakistan
Interests: Christology; Biblical Theology; World Christianity; Relational Theology