From Ireland to Cairo: the astonishing journey of a monk studying Islam

In the columns of The Irish Catholic, Father Justin Robinson gives an astonishing testimony about his daily life as a student at the American University in Cairo. Coming from Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick, this Benedictine monk embarked on an unusual adventure: obtaining a master’s degree in Arabic and Islamic studies in the heart of the Egyptian capital.

Between his classes and his research, the Irish monk finds refuge in the thousand-year-old walls of the Al-Azhar mosque. This historic sanctuary, a true architectural jewel of the Muslim world, becomes for him a privileged observatory of Cairo spirituality. The white marble floor, patinated by centuries of passage, reflects the grandeur of the surrounding buildings while the faithful crowd there for Maghrib prayers.

By embarking on this path, Father Robinson is perpetuating a centuries-old tradition of interreligious dialogue. It recalls in particular the heritage of the School of Translators of Toledo and the pioneering initiatives of Peter the Venerable who, in the 12th century, worked for a better understanding of Islam in the West.

Daily life in Cairo turns out to be an intense sensory experience for this religious person accustomed to the calm of the Irish countryside. Between the urban noise, the crushing heat and the anarchic traffic, he also discovered the legendary Egyptian hospitality. His interlocutors, proud heirs of an ancient civilization, show a keen interest in Ireland, particularly appreciated in the region for its diplomatic positions, in particular its denunciation of the genocide underway in Gaza. If mastering the local dialect remains a constant challenge, these linguistic obstacles fully contribute to the richness of its cultural immersion.