Pope's life & death: A Muslim perspective

[hue]

Thought I'd post one of my e-mails from a Muslim friend who sent an atricle that expresses what the majority of US Muslims think regarding the Catholic religion and the Pope. For several years Muslims have sustained dialogue with Catholics on issue such as the virgin birth of Jesus (which both religions share) and the teachings of Jesus/Isa.

I hope the mods can approve of this e-mail letter being longer than 4 paragraphs!
***********


He helped build interfaith bridge
USA Today 4/6/05
By Muqtedar Khan
"To God we belong and to Him we shall Return."
- Koran 2:156

REFLECTIONS OF FAITH

For more than a quarter-century, Pope John Paul II touched people of
all faiths.
Muqtedar Khan — He helped build interfaith bridge.


Four years ago, Pope John Paul II appeared at one of the oldest
mosques in the Islamic world, the Ummayad Mosque in Damascus, Syria.
It is deeply cherished by Muslims and Christians because it is
believed to be the tomb of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist to
Christians). During the visit, he said: "It is my ardent hope that
Muslim and Christian religious leaders and teachers will present our
two great religious communities as communities in respectful
dialogue, never more as communities in conflict."

For centuries, Muslims have felt alienated by Christianity. Though
Muslims recognize Christianity as a revealed religion of God,
Christian denominations have rejected Islam as heresy and waged holy
wars against it.

Despite theological disagreements with Islam, Pope John Paul II
departed from this historical practice. He always considered Muslims
as a fellow spiritual community deserving of respect and admiration.

Islam and Christianity share a majority of their beliefs. The
principle value of the unity of divinity, the prophets, Jesus and
Mary, Jerusalem and the promise of life after life are all common to
both faiths.

The Koran, the book that Muslims believe is the direct revelations
from God, acknowledges Judaism and Christianity as precursors and
early forms of Islam.

Today, through the efforts of John Paul II as a pioneer in
interfaith bridge-building, Muslims, too, feel as though Catholicism
has started to reciprocate and recognize Islam and Muslims as
partners in spirituality.

On the death of this pope, Muslims all over the world are expressing
their sorrow and solidarity with the Catholic community. Muslims see
John Paul II as a dear friend who reached out to us repeatedly. He
was not only our religious partner in worshipping the one God, but
he also was a political ally who frequently spoke up for the rights
of all peoples, including Muslims.

He often called for peace in the Middle East and for restoration of
rights and dignity to the Palestinians. He was against the war in
Iraq, and he believed ardently that Muslims and Christians, working
together, could bring both God and peace to our world.

In a world despiritualized by materialism, secular fundamentalism
and religious extremism; ravaged by war, greed and violence; and
disenchanted by ideologies and false religions; he was a champion of
morality, moderation and peace.

The world has truly lost a global elder.

Muqtedar Khan teaches at Adrian College in Michigan and is a non-
resident fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Many don't know

but there are Catholic retreat centers and meeting places that have graciously allowed Sufis to come for meetings with their leaders and have retreats. Catholics have also helped host places for Dances of Universal Peace retreats/workshops.

I still recall how the Ursaline sisters at one retreat center graciously offered their sanctuary for our morning practices. Many of them would come in while we did zhikar and other spiritual practices. One sister told my husband, "We don't know what you're doing, but we know God, and He is here."

[roguevalley]

2. and this is the way it should be. there is one god as they say and

no one has the inside road to him as far as I'm concerned. I wish we could live together in peace.

[hue]

4. Don't worry, God has the inside road to you!

I too wish we could live together in peace! It's so sad some "humans" place themselves above others with such arrogance!

LOL! Love your pics! So this is how doggies keep warm in Alaska!

Salaam/Peace, hue

[hue]

3. Assalamu Alaikum ayeshah!

Glad to hear you and your community has been welcomed!
I see there is much corruption in the Catholic church as an institution.
But I fully believe there is One God/Allah, and only Allah can judge.
Hope all is well with you. May Allah grant us peace and mercy!
Wa Alaikum Assalum, hue

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Wa Laikum Assalam!

Thank you for your greetings and lovely post!

[ck4829]

6. This Muslim will also miss the Pope

There were many views on which I could not agree with the Pope such as GLBT rights. But, because he was a good man who was just very 'old school' and the fact that I was born and raised as a Christian, I became very sad when I heard that the Pope had died and I wish that he watches over the church as he ascends to Heaven.