Muslims Christians And The Challenge Of Interfaith Dialogue

Christian-Muslim dialogue, going on in America for many decades, has become more intentional and serious since the events of September 11, 2001. This volume looks at the history of encounter between the two religions, the types of dialogue that are taking place both locally and nationally, and the hope that conversation brings for better interfaith understanding. No book has been written on this topic before. The book combines the history of Christian-Muslim relations, the rise of Islam in America with an emphasis on groups and individuals who have participated in dialogue, and different kinds of dialogue.

This volume looks at the history of encounter between the two religions, the types of dialogue that are taking place both locally and nationally, and the hope that conversation brings for better interfaith understanding.

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)-Univ. Frankfurt (Main), 2009.

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)-Univ. Frankfurt (Main), 2009.

Addressing challenges arising from Christian-Muslim encounter, this book engages with the primary challenge - enabling outsiders to understand the religion of Islam. Douglas Pratt offers distinctive perspectives that complement much other literature in the study of Islam and in particular of Christian-Muslim relations and the relation of Islam and the West. Whilst in recent years there have been many introductions to Islam, a book that combines introductory material with issues of the relationship of Islam to Christianity and Judaism, and issues of dialogical engagement, is rare and offers an important complementary perspective to other texts.

First published in 2005, this book addresses the challenges arising from Christian-Muslim encounter and attempts to enable outsiders to understand the religion of Islam. The author offers distinctive perspectives that compliment much other literature in the study of Islam and in particular Christian-Muslim relations and the relation of Islam and the west. The book is divided into three parts: Part I constitutes an introduction to Islam, Part II delves into aspects of the wider encounter with Islam and Part III explores issues in regard to the prospect of engaging in dialogue with Islam. The author argues that in the post-9/11 world the imperative to understand and engage with Islam is urgent and intends this work to assist the reader in doing so.

The book describes the challenge of modernity faced by Muslims and Christians and the issue of religious pluralism. It describes Muslims' encounters with Christianity in the first half of this century and their participation in organised dialogues initiated by the Churches in the second half. It highlights their apprehensions and expectations in dialogue and issues of co-existence in the world today. The book focuses on six prominent Muslim personalities who represent a wide spectrum of Muslim opinion and three international organizations and their attitude towards dialogue.

Provides insightful discussions of the exegetic and discursive process begun by the open letter A Common Word Between Us and You.