"It is the beginning of the healing of many divisions in America" Imam Daud from Maryland spontaneously commented.
   "Something we’ve been waiting for has happened today" said a Muslim woman. "This meeting was the beginning of something which has a future. It gives us strength and courage to build a world of unity and peace."
   The Pope himself had wished the same thing, in his much-applauded message, read by Cardinal Keeler: "At a time of tension in the world, the great religious traditions can bring about peace through authentic dialogue."

   In his talk, the leader of the Black Muslims alluded to the suffering brought about by racism that sought to cancel the identity, the very nature of his people. But what emerged was liberation, the restoration of identity that "allows men and women to feel they belong to one universal family, created by the Father we have in common."
   And drawing from the Koran, he emphasised the light of unity and the transcendent dimension "without which," he said, "we cannot be human beings".

   Chiara Lubich, who was invited to communicate the spirituality of unity which emerged from living the Gospel, focussed precisely on these two dimensions in her talk.  "God guides history and he sends from time to time," she said, "special gifts, called charisms. Humanity is called by God to form one family. This charism has been given to us to contribute to the fulfilment of this divine plan."
   Drawing many parallels between phrases from the Koran and from the Gospel, Chiara highlighted the need for a commandment of love. "By putting these teachings into practice," she said, "what happens is something much more than dialogue: it is the experience of communion in God". This was the experience lived in Washington.

For further details:

- Pope's message signed by Cardinal Angelo Sodano
- Chiara Lubich's address

Interviews before the Happening:

- by Chiara Lubich
- by W.D. Mohammed