The Salesian Pontifical University’s Jerusalem campus offers a diploma program in Holy Land Studies (HLS), specifically designed to engage students in an interdisciplinary approach to the study of religions within the historical and spiritual context of the Holy Land. This semester’s module, “Guided Study on Islam,” provides 2 ECTS credits and includes both academic study and experiential learning elements.
A central aspect of the program is “Project Wasatia,” an initiative founded by Professor Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi. Project Wasatia advocates for a path of reconciliation and moderation, steering participants from polarization towards constructive dialogue and mutual understanding among faith traditions. Professor Daoudi’s lectures explore themes of peace and interreligious harmony, resonating with the program’s focus on ecumenical and interfaith engagement.
This semester also included a significant visit to the Temple Mount, known in Islamic tradition as Al-Haram ash-Sharif. This site visit allowed students to experience a key religious and cultural landmark firsthand, providing deeper insight into Islamic spirituality, particularly as they studied prayer and mystical practices. Additionally, the lecture series by Professor Mustafa Abu Sway covered core Islamic beliefs about God, as well as Islamic mystical traditions, such as those of Sufi scholar Al-Ghazali.
The HLS program leverages Jerusalem’s unique religious and historical setting, which is viewed as a “fifth gospel,” to deepen students’ understanding of the Scriptures and to foster an environment for meaningful interreligious dialogue, rooted in the region’s distinct historical and geographical context.
