most notably France, Britain, Germany, Canada, and the United States.
Consequently, thosein the West engaged in theological discourse and
pastoralwork can no longer consign Islamto the outer limits of their
universe of religious concerns. Islam is no longer just "over there,"
an exotic feature of distant cultures; it is a well-established
component of our own religious landscape and deserves attention from
all who work to further the Reign of God in our culture.
Having taught courses in Islamic civilization as part of the
religiousstudies curriculum at both secularand church-related
institutions, I can give ample testimony to the antagonistic images of
Islam obtaining in, and actively perpetuated by, many Western circles.
In some cases, it is alarmism that fuels the antagonism ("Muslims are
taking over the world!"); in others, the indignation of post-modern
Westerners who resent the very existence of a powerful religious
tradition which seems to foster"unenlightened" values ("Islam is
intolerant, it oppresses women, etc."). It is a situation fraught
withthe real possibility of bigotry and violence.
As "people of religion," we can be particularly effective in shaping
religious sentiment toward Muslims in our society. We can either stoke
the fires of antagonism, feeding into the dominant societal trend
of"demonizing" Islam and Muslims; or we can fight those fires,
challenging people to come to a well-informed, balanced appreciation
of this "other" in ourmidst. Most of us, I assume, wouldaffirm the
desirability of the latteroption. I would like to offer a
fewsuggestions as to how that option might be realized.
First, expose the caricatures -- both our own and those of others.
Such caricatures are usually based on the assumption that Islam is
monolithic and that Muslim communities are homogeneous. Both
assumptions are false. Just as there are many"Christianities," there
are many"Islams" and most have very little to do with "Islamism," that
militant, extremist fringe of Islam which, despite its claim
to"traditionalism," actually violates such perennial Islamic values as
tolerance, forbearance, hospitality, and broad-mindedness. A number of
excellent resources can help you in this process -- see the attached
reading list. All the recommended authors are Christians who have done
much to dispel the rampant misinformation concerning Islam.
Second, reflect on what underlies our tendency to caricature Islam.
Many in the Christian world have thrown themselves headlong intothe
process of challenging the traditional shape of our society and want
to eradicate the very memory of its "oppressive" structures. Modernity
is uncomfortable with the demands of tradition. When Islam presents
itself -- unabashedly, unashamedly -- as a traditional religion, i.e.,
as a religion based onthe structures and values of a traditional
cultural system, those who are shaped by secular culture wince. They
are reminded of what our own communities once affirmed (and in some
quarters, still do affirm) to be trueand what was once imposed (andin
some quarters, still is imposed) as obligatory. Moreover, I think many
recognize, even if only reluctantly, that in dismantling
thetraditional shape of our religious life, in many ways our religious
communities have been debilitated. Islam's vitality and
self-confidence reminds us of what we have lost. In short, the growing
strength of Islamic identity and the resurgence in Islamic practice
only serve to underscore the progressive weakening of Christian
identity and the steady diminishment of Christian practice in
secularized Western societies. We resent Islam's newly found vitality
because it draws attention to our present malaise.
Third, appreciate the practical, external expressions of faith that
typify Islamic life. We have much to learn in this regard from Islam.
A few years ago even Pope John Paul II pointed to the Muslim fast
during the month of Ramadan as an example of the kind of zeal and
discipline Christians should, but today rarely do, bring to Lenten
fasting. Islam also requiresregular prayer -- at least five times a
day for the observant Muslim.
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