Diocesan News

Muslims, Catholics Find Common Ground in Their Devotion to Mary 

March 22, 2026
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Bishop Robert Brennan and Imam Essam Mahmoud share a laugh March 16 during an iftar dinner at JFK Airport, where the imam is the Islamic chaplain. They were joined by Father Michael Lynch, vicar for ecumenical and interreligious affairs for the Diocese of Brooklyn (far right), and the airport’s Catholic chaplains (not in this photo), Father Cezariusz Jastrzębski and Deacon Vincent Lino. (Photo: Bill Miller)

JFK AIRPORT — Imam Essam Mahmoud wept suddenly while telling a story from the life of Mary, mother of Jesus, in the Quran. 

Imam Mahmoud, the Islamic chaplain at John F. Kennedy International Airport, described how Mary was pregnant, afraid, and confused. In desperation, she fled from her family to a secluded place. 

But Mary, while camped at the trunk of a palm tree, gave birth to a son. She was soon visited by the angel, Gabriel, who explained that God had sent her the gift of a “pure son.” Despite her fears, she expressed obedience to God and resolved to love and care for the child. 

Her example sparked an emotional response from the imam.  

The story of Mary at the palm tree after the birth of her son, Jesus (depicted above in a 16th-century Iranian image), is told in the Quran but not in the Bible. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

“She is fully human,” he said, dabbing tears from his eyes. “Yes, she’s experiencing human stress and emotions, and yet she makes a decision to trust God. We can say Mary is like a Bible walking in the street. Or, we can say a Quran walking. 

“Because now we see that God is walking in front of us. And it is not something we hear; it is something we know.” 

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Imam Mahmoud spoke with The Tablet on March 14 at the JFK office he shares with Father Cezariusz Jastrzębski, the airport’s Catholic chaplain. 

The imam explained that reverence toward Mary — called “Maryam” in Islam — is shared by both religions, which might surprise some Christians. 

The Quran mentions her more than 30 times by name, more than any other woman, Imam Mahmoud said. He reiterated Islam’s regard for Mary on March 16 at JFK during an “iftar” — the evening meal to break the daily fast during Ramadan. 

Bishop Robert Brennan, the special guest, was accompanied by Father Jastrzębski, Deacon Vincent Lino, also a Catholic chaplain at the airport, and Father Michael Lynch, vicar for ecumenical and interreligious affairs for the diocese. 

“Moments like this remind us that our communities share more connections than divisions,” Imam Mahmoud said. “When we come together — whether to pray, dialog, or simply share a small meal — we strengthen the bonds of peace and mutual understanding.” 

Imam Essam Mahmoud, the Islamic chaplain at JFK Airport, has a lifelong appreciation for the Roman Catholic faith. As a boy in Cairo, Egypt, his parents sent him to Catholic schools because they were top-rated in their community. He said the religious sisters who taught him were strict and demanding, but also very kind and loving. (Photo: Bill Miller)

He added that a “beautiful example” of this relationship is “our shared respect” for Mary. 

“We cannot say Mary or Maryam without saying ‘peace be upon her,’ ” Imam Mahmoud said. “She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran.” 

Father Lynch is also the pastor of St. Athanasius-St. Dominic Parish in Bensonhurst. He told The Tablet on March 17 that interfaith dialogue is a tenet of “Nostra Aetate (In Our Time)” — a landmark 1965 declaration from the Second Vatican Council. 

Promulgated by Pope Paul VI, the document emphasized unity, interfaith dialogue, and respect for non-Christian religions, including Islam. 

“The document,” Father Lynch added, “lists several areas of agreement between Muslims and Christians.” 

Included, he explained, are the doctrine of God, the one revealer and merciful; the eschatology of judgment and resurrection of the body; and the practices of prayer, fasting, and alms giving. 

“But then it says that Jesus’ mother is honored by Muslims as a virgin, and at times Muslims even call on her with devotion,” Father Lynch said. 

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He said Christians believe Jesus is the son of God, while Muslims say he is among the greatest prophets. Still, the shared belief that Mary is the Virgin Mother of Jesus is an opportunity for fellowship and dialogue. 

And when people are talking and sharing ideas in good faith, they aren’t brawling. 

“We Christians call her the ‘Queen of Peace,’ ” Father Lynch said. “I think that’s important for us to think about that as a bridge, as we think about ways to dialogue.” 

RELATED: Sky’s the Limit: Bishop Brennan ‘Moved’ During ‘Historic’ Visit to JFK Chapel

The iftar drew nearly 200 airport employees to the buffet set up in a conference room near JFK’s four chapels in Terminal 4.  

Bishop Brennan thanked Imam Mahmoud and the airport’s Muslim community for their invitation and “constant friendship.” 

He said Catholics can trace the interreligious dialogue between Christians and Muslims back to St. Francis of Assisi, who died 800 years ago in 1226. 

But, seven years earlier, at the siege of Damietta during the 5th Crusade, St. Francis crossed enemy lines to meet the Sultan of Egypt, Malik al-Kamil, to preach the Gospel. 

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He simultaneously demonstrated appreciation for the Sultan and his faith. They did not convert each other, but they did establish mutual respect, and St. Francis was given safe passage back to the Christian battle lines. 

“St. Francis’ great prayer is so well known by people all around the world, not only by Christians,” Bishop Brennan said. “It is the prayer for peace — ‘Make me an instrument of your peace.’ 

“So, when I look at our friendship, this is the icon of friendship, that we are people who are rooted in our faith, connected deeply to the Lord God, and striving for peace, but doing so as friends.”