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Christian-Muslim Relations - The Muslim World The Macdonald Center wants to thank Blackwell Publisher for allowing these articles to be put on the web. Preface and Introduction to the Issue by Jane I. Smith
PREFACE: On October 22 and December 3, 2003, Hartford Seminary provided the venue for conversations among Muslim and Christian scholars and religious practitioners on the topic of Christian-Muslim dialogue in North America. The participants, all of whom have had significant experience in a wide range of forms of dialogue, were Sunni and Shi'ite, Roman Catholic and Protestant, male and female, and represented a variety of racial-ethnic identities. On the basis of their own interfaith encounters, participants were asked to reflect on a series of questions: What has been your experience in Christian-Muslim dialogue and how has it affected you personally? What do you see as prerequisites for successful conversations between Muslims and Christians? If you do classroom teaching, what kinds of opportunities does this context afford for dialogue? If you are a religious professional, what, if any, are the reservations expressed by the members of your congregation to interfaith dialogue? Is "theological" engagement in itself fruitful or must we now move toward working together on common projects? How can we move beyond "politeness" to serious issues of interfaith understanding? The presentations and ensuing conversations among participants raised a number of interesting and sometimes contentious issues. For many years discussions of theological formulations have dominated the conversations between Christians and Muslims, and in many contemporary dialogues (such as the NCCB-sponsored talks between Roman Catholic priests and Muslim imams) continue to do so. Some participants felt that while conversation should not be limited to theology, it remains of crucial importance, while others remain persuaded that such engagement is better replaced with action in the pursuit of common and recognizable goals. Some argued that the book has not been closed on theology, while others see the dialogue process as an evolution from theology to action. The tension between the goals of evangelization and da'wa for the purposes of conversion on the one hand, and the assumption that such goals only distract from better mutual understanding on the other, was well explored. Considerable discussion was held on the issue of whether or not to dwell on past injustices perpetuated by both Christians and Muslims against each other, and whether or not the harsh realities of conflicts between Muslims and Christians in other parts of the world today should be part of the dialogue in the American context. Some participants expressed the hope that America may serve as a model for the possibility of better interfaith relations elsewhere. The issue of female participation in the dialogue was touched on, with the acknowledgement that some Muslim women find it difficult to speak in the presence of imams or other male leaders. Conversations that take place strictly between women, which are taking place quite often in America, may have particular merit. Participants referred to, but did not necessarily all agree on, concerns related to dialogue in terms of racial-ethnic and sectarian (intra-faith) issues. While the presentations were geared to reflection on Christian-Muslim dialogue, several participants noted the importance of including Jews as "Abrahamic" partners in at least some of our interfaith exchanges. Note was also made of the fact that America is becoming increasingly multi-faith, and that sooner or later, interfaith must extend beyond the partners of the Abrahamic conversation. While not all participants discussed the issue directly, there was general agreement that if we do not succeed in engaging a new generation of young people in the Christian-Muslim conversation, our efforts will have been largely wasted. Many benefits of the dialogue were cited, the most common being that true interfaith engagement generally serves to give both Christians and Muslims a better understanding of their commitment to their own religious faith and tradition "making Christians better Christians and Muslims better Muslims," as several put it. The presentations made at these symposia have since been expanded into the essays that constitute this special issue of The Muslim World journal on "Christian-Muslim Relations in North America." Jane I. Smith, editor |
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