Yes, it has started. You are invited to join us with questions.
Name
Manal
-
Profession
Question
What are the activities and objectives of the Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding you are directing?
Answer
We teach courses on Islam, have a certificate program for undergraduates in Islam and Muslim-Christian relations as well as a master's degree. We also publish prolifically. Our faculty has more than 100 books and hundreds of articles. We are especially active speaking in Washington, across America and throughout the world, especially the Muslim world. You may learn more by going to our website.
Name
Aymen
-
Profession
Question
Hi Dr. Esposito, nice to see you on islamonline. I am really interested in your books about Islam and your neutral stance on so many issues concerning Muslims, but I want to ask a couple of questions:
1. What is the reason behind your objective and neutral stance about Islam and Muslims?
2. Are there many non-Muslims like you who are working in the field of Muslim-Christian understanding? Can you recommend some names?
Answer
I was trained by Muslim scholars, in particular Ismail al-faruqi and have always believed that the purpose should be to understand and explain Islam as Muslims understand and believe. This is the way in which we should all approach understanding the faith of others.
Yes, increasingly there are a growing number of non-Muslims scholars who, I believe, seek to understand Islam from within.
Name
Mouna
-
Profession
Question
What are the bases for a theological dialogue between Muslim and Chritians when we do not agree on such basic matters such as the status of Jesus and the authority of the Christian scriptures?
Answer
We do agree upon or believe in the one true God and in the unity (tawhid) of God, monotheism; we honor and believe that God sent prophets and revelation, believe in moral responsibility, family values; are concerned about issues of social justice. etc.
Name
Ghazali
- Egypt
Profession
Question
What is the purpose of the Muslim-Christian dialogue in the present time? Does it have positive consequences?
Answer
I think that dialogue today is more critical than ever before. The impact of 9/11, its exploitation by some, the growth of radicalism and dangers of poorly conceived foreign policies make it more important than ever that we understand and respect others and not simply see them as the complete opposite of us, not feed those who speak of a clash of civilizations. While differences exist, there are many shared beliefs, values and interests.
Name
Shirida
-
Profession
Question
Does the West understand Islam better after 9/11 attacks?
Answer
I think many do, but I also think that many in the West, as indeed many in the Muslim world, do not fully understand the realities and issues of the other. Moreover, there are those who seek to exploit 9/11 to promote their own agenda, whether it be in the area of extending American influence and power or in some Muslim countries, governments that use the threat of global terrorism to move against mainstream opposition or establish greater political control over their societies.
Name
Mustafa
-
Profession
Question
I have noticed that most of the people interested in interfaith dialogue are Christians. Why do you think this is so and which consequences can it have on the construction of interfaith relations?
Answer
Perhaps there are more Christians than Muslims involved. I really do not know. I certainly know many Muslims in the West and in the Muslim world, from Egypt to Indonesia, who are involved in dialogue. I think some Muslims, like some Christians, are suspicious of the motives behind dialogue or because they are very closed-minded, are not interested in understanding the faith of others.
Name
Ali
-
Profession
Question
What is the difference between debate and dialogue as far as Muslim-Christian Understanding is concerned?
Answer
Debate is generally useless. Speaking frankly, I have seen and listened to so-called debates between Christians and Muslims. Each side tends to think their spokesperson won! Too often, debates become an occasion to simply condemn the other.
Dialogue is what believers should engage in because it means that we honestly seek to explain to others what we believe, seek to understand what they believe, explore our points of agreement and disagreement.
Name
marwan
- Lebanon
Profession
sears
Question
Are people in america starting to understand more about Islam and do they still have big interest to know about islam even after 9/11?
Answer
Yes. When I first began to study Islam in the late 1960s, Islam was almost invisible in our schools, societies, and media. Today, Islam is taught in many high schools, colleges and universities, there is wide media coverage and programming etc. Of course part of the problem is that it is the explosive "headline events" that often get the most attention and so the acts of extremists can overshadow mainstream Islam. After 9/11 I wrote two books to address these concerns: Unholy War: terror in the Name of Islam and What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, published by Oxford U press. This week I will record 12 programs for an audio/video course on Islam.
Name
Amani
-
Profession
Question
Do you think that dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims can be done among the mass, or it is a just an attempt that can be achieved by the elite in both parties only? As I think, not all Muslims or non-Muslims accept such a dialogue? What would you think would be the result if the elite dialogued with mass?
Answer
I think that the most important and effective influence can be contact between Muslims and non-Muslims. When we come to know others as neighbors, fellow workers, etc. we can develop a respect for them, which then makes us see our common human concerns and values not just our differences. Elite dialogue is important but there has to be a means to, then have its conclusions filter down, become part of the training of religious leaders, teachers and students etc.
Name
Turan Kishlakci
- Turkey
Profession
journalist
Question
When we see Islamic history, we come to know that in Islamic society Muslim has Jews, Christians, Zoroasters and Buddhists as neighbors and have good relations with them. Even in Prophet Muhammad's life too. But after decline of Othman state, the secular and nationalist Muslim state annihilated this way. What is your opinion about this idea?
Answer
You made a very good point. Too often we simply focus on the confrontations and conflicts of the past and not the sources (scripture) and history of co-existence and cooperation. The dangers today come from ultra conservative religious people who wish to condemn rather than understand and from some nation states who exploit religious differences.
Name
Worried Muslim
-
Profession
Question
How do you think the dialogue can yeild any good result at a time that most Muslim countries are under the threat of war and destruction? Don't you think that the matter is really clash of civilization?
Answer
I think that there is indeed a danger of a clash of civilizations or at least that this will become the rationale for conflict. We are at a very critical time when we all, each in our own way, must play an active role in addressing the root causes, from unjust foreign policies to state terrorism, from education tot he training of the next generation of religious leaders and citizens.
Name
Clara
-
Profession
Question
Isn't interfaith dialogue sometimes a hypocrisy? In theory it demands that we consider all participants, whatever their faith, as equal, when in reality each of us believe that our religion is the best. How do you suggest we deal with this paradox?
Answer
Dialogue does not necessarily mean that we are all the same. We certainly are equal as human beings before our God. However, dialogue does not mean that a believer may not continue to believe that he or she is following the final revelation and message. It does also mean that we can acknowledge, as the Qur'an says, that God has sent prophets and revelation to others, and thus we share many beliefs and values but also have our differences as well.
Name
A.G
-
Profession
Question
Do you think the dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States will end up in stopping America from undertaking such devastating campgains against Muslim countries?
Answer
No. It can help, but it will take much, much more. We need to directly address not only understanding the other and not simply equating Islam or Christianity or Judaism with militancy but also to address the critical political, social, and economic causes of conflicts from Palestine/Israel to Kashmir and beyond.
Name
turan
- Turkey
Profession
journalist
Question
Muslims can live under the judicious Christian and Jewish states, but cannot live under tyrannical Muslim regimes. We see many tyrannical Muslim state, so, what must modernize and democratize: Muslims society or tyrannical regimes?
Answer
A major issue that has seriously affected the development of Muslim societies, politically, educationally, economically and socially are the regimes whose authoritarian policies and corruption and repression undermine development and also feed the growth of extremism.
Name
Funshyboy
-
Profession
Question
What direction do you think the inter-faith dialogue is taking now, especially in light of the challenges we are all facing, regardless of whether you are a Muslim or a Christian?
Answer
Many Christians and Muslims and some Jews have doubled their efforts at dialogue. Unfortunately, we have also had to deal with others like some leaders of the Christian right or Christian fundamentalists, some ultra Zionist leaders and some military Muslim voices who undermine dialogue and feed misunderstanding with their theologies of hate.
Name
Adam
-
Profession
Question
In your view, what is the reason behind the America's war on so-called terrorism?
Answer
I think there are very real fears and concerns about global terrorism. We have seen it in many parts of the Muslim and non-Muslim world. In recent years, America has in fact been the target of terrorists; the most recent and terrible example is 9/11. However, the challenge to American policymakers is to make sure that the war against global terrorism addresses the root causes of terror, to distinguish between mainstream opposition and terrorist groups and respect the civil liberties of Muslims in America and Europe.
Name
Abdullah
- Malaysia
Profession
Question
How far the war between US & its coalition and Iraq (if it happens) could effect the relationship between Muslim people and others especially Christian followers?
Answer
An excellent question! There is no doubt that if there is a military attack against Iraq, it will be important that sufficient evidence be given, that it be a multilateral action which includes Arab and Muslim countries, and that casualties (Iraqi as well as non-Iraqi) be limited and especially the level of destruction. If this is not the case, the military action will feed the growing anti-Americanism in the Muslim world and in many other parts of the world which has increased enormously post 9/11.
Name
Suheil
-
Profession
Question
Do you think America will succeed in dominating the world by launching these attacks on Muslim countries? How do you see this from a Christian perspective?
Answer
I certainly do not support any attempt by America or any nation for that matter to extend their hegemony or dominance over others. The evils of imperialism are evident to any student of history. The challenge to the Bush administration is to demonstrate to the world the difference between seeking to capture and contain terrorists and seeking to be a new imperial power. I have spoken often here and abroad about the danger today of many seeing America as a new empire and many charging that the war against global terrorism looks more like a war against Islam and the Muslim world. President Bush will have to make sure that his words which distinguish between terrorism and Islam are translated into his policies.
Name
Hussein
- Lebanon
Profession
Question
As expert in the domain of Muslim-Christian dialogue, how do you see the gab between Muslims and non-Muslims can be bridged?
Answer
I think the gap can be bridged for many. However, I worry that there are rejectionsts and militants on all sides or in all camps that undermine a common realization that God is compassionate and merciful and the judge of all of us and that he has indeed sent His revelation to Jews, Christians and Muslims and expects all to follow His Will.
Name
Faruq
-
Profession
Question
Did you have any dialogue with Muslim scholars? Can you give some examples? Was any of them held in Arab countries?
Answer
I have been involved in the study of Islam for more than 30 years and so have many Muslim friends in the Muslim world and here. Our center has held major programs in Pakistan, Malaysia, Lebanon, and participated in dialogues in Egypt, Indonesia and many other countries.
Name
Yahya
-
Profession
Question
In your opinion, what is the best way to dialogue with people of different faith? How would you dialogue about controversial issues related to the creed.
Answer
I think the best way is to begin with the intention of better explaining and understanding, of discussing differences not to WIN an argument but to better understand and respect others. I can respect someone and their beliefs without necessarily agreeing with all of them. In the end it is for God to judge not we human beings.
Name
Huda
-
Profession
Question
What is the history of the Muslim-Christian dialogue?
Answer
This would take a book to answer! The dialogue began when Islam first spread in many parts of the world. It existed in Damascus, Andalusia etc. In the past few decades the modern dialogue has been especially active.
Name
Dennis
- United States
Profession
Question
Come on Dr. Esposito, how come you talk about inter-faith dialogue with those bunch of terrorists!
Answer
I usually do not answer these kinds of questions from Christians, Muslims or anyone else. But, this is the point. It is astonishing that you can condemn in a blanket manner, wholesale, people whom you cannot see and do not know. Instead of wasting your time here, get on with learning a bit more about the people you seem to hate so much and then maybe you can distinguish between religious extremists and terrorists and those who belong to the mainstream of their faith as I would hope you do for others as well.
Name
Ghaliya
-
Profession
Question
What would you say if a Christian tells you: I believe Islam is the best for me and I want to convert?
Answer
Then he or she should convert.
Name
Salwa
- Austria
Profession
Question
Do you believe that Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America, esp. after 9/11 attacks? If so, what do you think would be the reason behind this?
Answer
Let me begin by alerting all of friends online that I will have to sign off in a little while because of a commitment here.
Regarding your question, Islam is a fast growing religion here for many reasons, first and foremost the growth of Muslim families. Another reason is the steady stream of converts. It has been a very nice surprise to see that 9/11 has not prevented many from embracing Islam as they do what all must do and distinguish between the acts of extremists who highjack and distort their religion and the religion of Islam.
Name
Rula
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
Is it Haram to go to school on the eid in the USA?
Answer
Editor:
We apologize for not answering this question since it does not relate to the topic of this session. We request the questioner to re-submit her question to Ask the Scholar Service where it will be forwarded to specialist scholars and be answered at its due time.
Name
turan
- Turkey
Profession
journalist
Question
How you read the situations of world under Bush's administration? Do this thick-headed thought push world into the crisis and troubles between west and east? Isn't it a threat for world peace?
Answer
I think I have answered this question in some of my previous responses.
I want to thank you all for getting online and now I must sign off.
An early Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends online!
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
Answer
Editor:
We would like to apologize for our viewers for not being able to answer all the questions within the time allocated to this session. We also apologize for ignoring the questions that are irrelevant to the topic of the dialogue. We request our viewers who have posted fatwa-related questions to re-submit them Ask the Scholar Service where they will be forwarded to specialist scholars and be answered at their due time.
