Keys for Coexistence Between Muslims and Christians (Part 2)

Interview With Father Samir Khalil Samir

ROME, FEB. 19, 2004 (Zenit) - A rereading of the Koran is necessary if Islam is to be integrated in Western countries, says Father Samir Khalil Samir.

In Part II of this interview, the author of "One Hundred Questions on Islam," a book-interview, continues to address possible ways to further understanding between Christians and Muslims. Part 1 appeared Monday.

Q: Christians are increasingly questioning themselves about Islam. Do Muslims also ask themselves questions about Christians?

Father Samir: Yes, Christians are questioning themselves about Islam. Living in a mixed environment such as Beirut, I must say that they question themselves about Islam, and vice versa. Anyway, it is true that in Lebanon they always tell me that we Christians know Islam better than they do Christianity. The fact is we have quite a few difficulties when we organize congresses and we want a Muslim speaker who knows Christianity well.

Q: Is Islam still an unknown for Europe?

Father Samir: Europe should not fault itself for not knowing Islam; it is obvious. But, neither does it know Buddhism or other religions. For me, the question does not lie in not knowing, but in wanting to know.

It is positive to work together, also criticizing what we don't like about Muslims' culture, in the same way that they have the right to contest aspects of Western culture that they don't like.

For example, they think that the concept of laicism seems to have eliminated the religious phenomenon, which, in any case, reappears. This is a valid criticism, and so should be the reverse.

I would like to remind readers that the Muslim presence in Europe is recent; it is absurd to pretend that the European roots are those of all religions.

From my point of view, the presence of Muslims in Europe could be a blessing under certain conditions: for example, if a European Islam could be created, that would be Muslim in faith and European in culture -- that is, also Christian.

Then one could arrive at a rereading of the Koran, starting with the equality between man and woman, between believer and atheist, and including the principles of democracy and of Western civilization, especially the distinction between the religious and the political.

Q: Some have criticized your book, alleging that it overlooks very positive aspects of Islam, such as Sufism.

Father Samir: There is truth in this observation; the fact is I do not speak of Sufism. But, it is a reality that Sunni orthodox Islam sees as something private, or even as a deviation. It doesn't carry much weight.

If we look at the books that are published in the Arab-Muslim world, we will virtually find none on the Sufis. Instead, in the West there are many. Why? Because the West is interested in the other starting with oneself, and there is no desire to understand Islam as it is.

In Islam, what is essential in the teachings and in life is the juridical. This is neither an accusation nor a negative aspect, it is the reality, and one must respect the other as he is.

More than Sufism, to understand the Muslim world we must know its sources. The "haddit," for example, are the sayings of the Prophet, and they are virtually not translated although they are very important.

Q: Is a rereading of the Koran what is urgent?

Father Samir: What is important now is to clarify how the Koran is to be read and interpreted today. Sadly, there are few Muslims who propose a rereading of the Koran.

Christianity began a critical reading of its sources centuries ago. This critical rereading has not taken place in the Muslim world and it is a necessity.

To rethink the Koran does not mean to change the text, but its reading. Muslim intellectuals want to do so, but they cannot because the weight of the traditional majority is too great.

This would be possible in Europe, as long as these fundamentalist groups paid by rich Gulf countries don't prevail; what they do is to export an Islam to Europe that is not the Islam that European Muslims want.

They control many mosques. It is not immigrants who have constructed them, but the fundamentalists and their preachers who come from Arabia or some emirates.

Q: Islam is something natural for you, being as you are a Christian Arab. Do you feel you are a bridge?

Father Samir: I have a great liking for Muslims, I belong to that culture. I am a Christian Arab in a Muslim culture, but my faith is Christian, and I am happy with one and the other.

Of course, Islam is not foreign to me. We Christian Arabs have learned to appreciate the positive and negative aspects of coexistence. We can also help Western Christians to understand Islam as a whole and to coexist with it. We are a bridge and we can contribute what our centuries-old experience has given us as a result.

Contact

Catholic Online
https://www.catholic.org CA, US
Catholic Online - Publisher, 661 869-1000

Email

info@yourcatholicvoice.org

Keywords

Muslims, Christians, Islamic

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »