Ansamed

(ANSAmed) - ROME, MARCH 25 - Manuela Galaverni's "At the beginning. Short stories from the creation onwards according to the Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions" is a small book for children but one that tackles a big issue such as the common traits between the three major Abrahamic religions.

The book's author trained in the field of mathematics but has a passion for Arab and Hebrew language and culture, which she has also studied. Her book makes her aims clear, starting with the dedication to a young girl named Sara, "who did not know why her Moroccan friend was called Ismail".

"Beyond the fundamental differences that make Judaism, Christianity and Islam three separate and diverse religions, there is a kindred 'mythological' nucleus," Manuela Galaverni writes. The seven lively stories - from Adam and Eve to the Flood, from Abraham to Nimrod and Ishmael - reach their source "by choosing for each one the specific narrative form from a given tradition, or a mix of the three, but never one that collides with or counters one of the others".

This is the case, for example, of the story of Cain and Abel, where the scene in which the ravens show Cain how to bury his brother is drawn from the Koran, and the scene in which the God sets a mark upon the forehead of the Cain lest he be killed is in turn taken from the Bible.

The last page is particularly significant. "Ishmael and Isaac grew up. As the Lord had promised Abraham, great nations were descended from each of them: the Arabs from Ishmael, the Israelites from Isaac. Sometimes it does not seem so, but they are sons of brothers!!!".

Copies of the book, which features graphic design by Paola Staffa, can be requested at "allinizio.storie@gmail.com".

(ANSAmed).