Abstract
Paolo Dall’Oglio is an Italian Jesuit, founder of the community "al-Khalil" at the syriac monastery of mar Moussa in Syria. He has been kidnapped near the city of Rakka, in Syria, and was never found.
Paolo was a controversial figure, admired by some and criticized by others for his stands on theological and political issues. During a memorial ceremony organized five years after his disappearance, four personal testimonies explain why. Saint Joseph’s Rector, Salim Daccache asks, as did Paolo : "what does Islam say to Christians ?" And at the same time "Where does Islam take Christianity ?" Mgr Akasheh of the Vatican Council for interreligious relations says that he does not share all the opinions of this Jesuit but admits that his imprudence, going to Rakka, was motivated by his desire to free some hostages. His superior, father Dany Younes sees in him a builder of bridges over abysses. Thom Sicking describes his go-ahead character and underlines his particular love for the Syriac catholic church.