Beyond 9/11

About This Book This book is an invitation to Christians and Muslims to engage in dialogue in order to build relationships of understanding and trust. In a trusting environment all issues can be constructively discussed and resolved. The author first appeals to Christians, who constitute the dominant religion in American culture, to learn about Islam. In order to appreciate Muslims and engage in productive projects with them, Christians must take the initiative in creating trusting relationships. The dominant faith because it comes from a position of strength must make the first move to get the conversation started. The inspiration for this book came from several sources. First, many Christians know nothing about Islam and most Muslims have not seriously studied Christianity except what is said in the Holy Koran. Second, globalization has forced all of us to deal with people from different cultures and religious traditions. Third, the shock of 9/11 caused both Muslims and Christians to realize the importance of understanding each other. If we are to live together in this world, we must learn to relate to the other. Fourth, the radical social and economic changes in our world could be interpreted as a signal that God is bringing the peoples of earth together. The possibility of God's moving the faiths closer together provides enormous motivation for people to participate in this Divine Initiative This book is divided into five sections: a personal story, a brief sketch of Islam, a brief sketch of Christianity, four interviews, and a guide for healthy dialogue between different faiths. Chapter One relates the author's own awakening. Chapter Two sets forth the essential aspects of Islam with which Christians should become acquainted. Chapter Three presents the essentials of Christianity that Muslims need to understand. Chapter Four reports four interviews - two men and two women, two Muslims and two Christians, two lifelong believers and two persons converted to the other faith. Chapter Five offers guidelines for productive conversations between Muslims and Christians. This book may be used in a variety of ways to enlarge the interfaith dialogue. At the most basic level it can inform the reader about the basics of Islam and Christianity and the importance of dialogue between the two religions in the 21st Century. Just one person understanding the other's faith can drive away the fear and suspicion that possesses so many Americans. Individuals can use this text to initiate informed conversations with Muslims or Christians. Further, the text may be used successfully by a group of Muslims or a group of Christians for an informed discussion among themselves. A single faith conversation can prepare a group of believers for an interfaith dialogue. The material in this text provides appropriate content for conducting a seminar on Understanding Islam or Understanding Christianity. The book describes the success that these seminars have had in creating understanding between persons of the two faiths. Acting on the information in this book will enable us to have a better world in which to live and rear our children. Many persons contributed to the subject matter and the spirit of this book. The writings of Karen Armstrong, John Esposito, and Ezra Reza offer rich insights concerning Islam. The author credits a number of Muslim and Christian friends for the tone given to the book. Among these are women and men who showed him the spirit of Islam through their conversations and support. Other leaders in the interfaith movement offered suggestions which have made this a better book. No book is timelier on Christian/Muslim relations than this one. It is written in simple, easy to understand language and it suggests practical ways that persons committed to the two faiths can encounter each other. This information comes at a time when the world is rapidly changing and needs help in making the neces