Many many years ago, the Pope decreed that all Muslims had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy. There was a huge outcry from the Muslim community, so the Pope offered a deal.

He declared that a religious debate will be held with the leader of the Muslim community. If the Muslim leader won, muslims could stay in Italy; and if the Pope won, the Muslims will either convert or leave.

The Muslims met and picked an aged and wise Moulana to represent them in the debate. However, as the Moulana spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Arabic, they agreed that it would be a "silent (signs)" debate.

On the chosen day the Pope and the Moulana sat opposite each other.

The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers.
The Moulana looked back and raised one finger.

Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.
The Moulana pointed to the ground where he sat.

The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.
The Moulana pulled out an apple.

With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said that the Moulana was too clever. Muslims could stay in Italy.

Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened.
The Pope said, "First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. The Maulana responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still only ONE GOD !!!

"Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that GOD was all around us.
He responded by pointing to the ground to show that GOD was also right here with us.
"I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that GOD absolves us of all our sins.
He pulled out an appleto remind me of the original sin.

"He beat me at every move and I could not continue !!!"

Meanwhile, the Muslim community gathered to ask the Moulana how he'd won.

"I haven't a clue," the Moulana said.

"First, I thought the Pop was telling me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger.

"Then he waved his finger to tell me that the whole country would be cleared of Muslims and I signed to him that we were staying right here!"

"And then what?" asked a woman.

"Who knows?" said the Moulana.

"He took out his lunch so I took out mine. And then he walked away!"



Many many years ago, the Pope decreed that all Muslims had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy. There was a huge outcry from the Muslim community, so the Pope offered a deal.

He declared that a religious debate will be held with the leader of the Muslim community. If the Muslim leader won, muslims could stay in Italy; and if the Pope won, the Muslims will either convert or leave.

The Muslims met and picked an aged and wise Moulana to represent them in the debate. However, as the Moulana spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Arabic, they agreed that it would be a "silent (signs)" debate.

On the chosen day the Pope and the Moulana sat opposite each other.

The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers.
The Moulana looked back and raised one finger.

Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.
The Moulana pointed to the ground where he sat.

The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.
The Moulana pulled out an apple.

With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said that the Moulana was too clever. Muslims could stay in Italy.

Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened.
The Pope said, "First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. The Maulana responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still only ONE GOD !!!

"Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that GOD was all around us.
He responded by pointing to the ground to show that GOD was also right here with us.
"I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that GOD absolves us of all our sins.
He pulled out an appleto remind me of the original sin.

"He beat me at every move and I could not continue !!!"

Meanwhile, the Muslim community gathered to ask the Moulana how he'd won.

"I haven't a clue," the Moulana said.

"First, I thought the Pop was telling me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger.

"Then he waved his finger to tell me that the whole country would be cleared of Muslims and I signed to him that we were staying right here!"

"And then what?" asked a woman.

"Who knows?" said the Moulana.

"He took out his lunch so I took out mine. And then he walked away!"