Meeting in Peace: Bases for MuslimChristian Cooperation

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Meeting in Peace Bases for Muslim-Christian
Cooperation

• Mennonite Economic Development Associates
• Trust in a World of Change
• November 2, 2007
• Toronto, Ontario

• Muslim-Christian Encounter Resonance,
  Dissonance, and Hope for Peace
• Film Clip The Imam and the Pastor
• MEDA in an Islamic Context

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Muslim-Christian Encounter Resonance,
Dissonance,and Hope for Peace

• When you think about Muslim-Christian relations,
  what kinds of stories come to mind?

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Three Types of Stories

• Confrontation
• Commonality
• Mutuality
• Why does the first type of story get so much
  play?

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The Danger

• Unmitigated antagonism between Christians and
  Muslims threatens the integrity of both faith
  traditions
• Runaway antagonism typically involves
• Letting our differences define the entire
  relationship
• Defining ourselves in opposition to the other
  even more than on the basis of our own values

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The Challenge

• Working to build trust between Christians and
  Muslims
• How do we do it?
• Need to accept that there will always be areas of
  resonance and areas of difference (or
  dissonance)
• We can build on the resonance, and find ways to
  manage the dissonance

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Resonance

• Monotheism (The God of Abraham)
• Biblical figures prophets
• Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob,
  Joseph, Jonah, Moses, Solomon, David, Elijah,
  Job, John the Baptist, Mary
• Shared esteem for Jesus (in different ways)
• Language of faith
• Peace language
• Shalom and salam have common Semitic roots
• Both mean more than just absence of war

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Muslims are expected to believe in

• God Allah (literally, the God)
• Prophets Messengers (singular Nabi, Rasul)
• Revealed Books (Torah, Psalms, Gospels)
• Angels
• Day of Judgment

The Merciful, the Compassionate
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Foundational Prayers The Lords Prayer and the
Opening Surah (Al-Fatiha)

• 1 - Our Father who art in Heaven,
• 2 - Hallowed be Thy Name.
• 3 - Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on Earth
  as it is in Heaven.
• 4 - Give us this day our daily bread,
• 5 - And forgive us our debts as we forgive our
  debtors,
• 6 - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
  us from evil
• 7 - For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and
  the Glory, forever.
• Amen

• 1 - In the name of God, the Merciful, the
  Compassionate,
• 2 All praise be to God, Lord of all worlds,
• 3- The Merciful, the Compassionate, King of the
  Day of Judgment.
• 4 - You alone do we worship, and to You alone we
  turn for help.
• 5 - Guide us (O Lord) to the path that is
  straight,
• 6 - The path of those You have blessed,
• 7 - Not of those who have earned Your anger, nor
  of those who have gone astray.
• Amin

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Differences

• Theology Christology
• Christianity Trinity/Incarnation
• Islam Unity of God (tawhid)
• Ethics
• Relative priority of love and justice
• Differing views about resist not evil, turn
  the other cheek, etc.
• Human condition

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Utilize resonance, manage dissonance, recognize
abuses
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II. Film Clip The Imam and the Pastor

• Setting Nigeria
• Theme Religious Peacebuilding
• How were the pastor and the imam able to make
  peace with each other?
• What can we learn from their experiences?

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III. MEDA in an Islamic Context
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MEDAs Mission
Shalom (???????) Peace

• MEDA Mission As an association of Christians,
  in business and the professions, committed to
  applying biblical teachings in the marketplace,
  MEDA members share their faith, abilities and
  resources to address human needs through economic
  development.
• MEDA Vision ...that all people may experience
  Christ's love and utilize their abilities to earn
  a livelihood, provide for families and enrich
  their communities.

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Five Muslim Practices (Pillars)

• 1) Testifying (shahadah)
• No god but God (La ilaha illa Allah).
• Muhammad is Messenger (rasul) of God.
• 2) Observing regular daily prayer (salat)
• 3) Charity (zakat)
• 4) Fasting (sawm)
• 5) Pilgrimage (hajj)

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Challenges

• The War on Terrorism context means increased
  potential for Muslim-Christian polarization.
• Because MEDA is a Christian organization based in
  North America, some Muslims may suspect a hidden
  agenda.
• There is much disagreement among contemporary
  Muslims (and Christians) about how best to
  manifest the ideals of their faith.

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Opportunities

• There is a strong basis for coexistence with the
  People of the Book in Islam.
• Reputation, relationships, and trust are very
  important and MEDA has assets in these areas.
• Within a context of respectfulness and
  transparency, MEDA has the potential to make
  deeply meaningful contributions to
  Christian-Muslim goodwill and understanding.

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Advising One Another

• Form small groups
• Try to identify several Do/Dont
  prescriptions for MEDAs projects in
  Muslim-majority countries
• What are some guiding principles for cooperation?
• How can Christians and Muslims meet in peace?