Religion series explores Islamic faith in depth

By TEDDYE SNELL
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS (TAHLEQUAH, Okla.)

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. September 13, 2007 01:22 pm

— In a post 9-11 America, devout Muslims have found themselves more misunderstood than ever, often labeled terrorists for holding beliefs contrary to those of popular Western religions.
Many people do not understand that Islam belongs to the family of great monotheistic faiths, the children of Abraham. It is the second-largest and fastest-growing religion in the world.
To promote a better understanding of Islam, as well as the world's other five great religions -- Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism -- St. Basil's Episcopal Church is offering a 60-week study series on Wednesday nights at 7.
The series combines a DVD study course, "Great World Religions," compiled by Dr. John L. Esposito, professor of Islamic studies at Georgetown University, followed by discussion and fellowship.
A small group gathered Wednesday night to watch an overview of Islam. Church member John Day welcomed the group.
"Islam is such an important religion in the world today," he said. "The more we learn and know, the better prepared we are to deal with it in our everyday lives."
Day explained the series would run 60 weeks, and the first 12 meetings in the series will feature an in-depth study of Islam. The video portion of the event ran 30 minutes, and Day invited discussion and comment afterward.
During the video lecture, Esposito explained Islam is practiced in 56 countries, spanning North Africa to Southeast Asia, with minorities in Europe and the U.S. While many believe Islam is primarily an Arab religion, only 20 percent of Muslims are Arab.
Despite the Islamic community's size, global presence and significance, myths, stereotypes and misinformation about Islam and Muslims abound, said Esposito.
"The focus of this course will be to better understand Islam's role as a religion and as a way of life," he said. "In 12 lectures, moving from Mohammed to the present, from the 7th to the 12th centuries, we will explore Muslim beliefs, practices and history in the context of its significance and impact on Muslim life and society through the ages, as well as world events today."
In the first two lectures, Esposito will explain how Islam, like Judaism and Christianity, is one of the great monotheistic faiths, tracing its ancestry to Abraham. He will discuss the similarities and differences, and the core beliefs that serve as the common denominators uniting all Muslims throughout the world.
According to the lecture, Muslims may share basic core beliefs, but vary in cultural practices and interpretations. Women's dress, educational and professional opportunities and participation in mosques and societies differ widely from country to country.
In politics, from Turkey to Algeria to Malaysia, Islamic activists peacefully press for the implementation of religion in state and society, and have been elected to parliaments.
Although the Muslims believe in God, the Quran, and the teachings of Mohammed, there is a rich diversity of interpretation and practices. Gaining a better understanding of Islam requires a bridging of religion, history, politics and culture. The word "Islam" means submission or surrender. A Muslim seeks to follow and actualize God's will in history, as an individual and a member of a worldwide faith community.
Muslims do not seek a separation of church and state. For many Muslims, religion and society, faith and power, are all closely related.
"From the creation to the first Muslim community in 7th century Arabia to contemporary times, Muslims have debated and sought to implement God's will in their personal, as well a public lives; in their families, as well as states and societies," said Esposito. "Thus, to be a Muslim was to live in an Islamic community-state, governed by Islamic law."
As such, Muslims have engaged in a continuous process of applying Islam to the realities of life. According to Esposito, Islamic law, theology and mysticism reflect this process.
"Religious doctrines, laws and practices result not only from sacred texts, but also from fallible, human interpreters, whose conclusions reflect their intelligence, political and social contexts and customs, as well as power and privilege," said Esposito. "The fact that interpreters of Islam were males living in patriarchal societies naturally affected the development of Islamic law and thought, especially its impact on women and the family, which will be covered extensively later."
Islamic doctrines and laws developed in response to political and social questions and issues.
"Thus, it is correct to say there is one Islam revealed in the Quran and the traditions of the prophet, but Islamic tradition and heritage reveal many interpretations, some complementing each other, and others in conflict. For instance, the Sunni and the Shia," said Esposito.
Muslims also face questions regarding the relationship of the Islamic world to the West. According to Esposito, Christian-Muslim relations are often seen through the stereotype of jihad and extremism, or a militant Judeo-Christian tradition of crusades, inquisition, European colonialism and American neo-colonialism. Such perceptions lead both sides to foresee an impending clash of civilizations that can be avoided by study, tolerance and understanding.
"Too often, we see Islam through the lens of terrorism, and the problem has compounded since 9/11," said Esposito. "The goal of this series is to provide basic information for guidance and continued study."
Day indicated he is eager to explore the course.
"It's certainly piqued my interest," he said. "When I was growing up in the 1960s and '70s, what I knew of Muslims came from movies and TV shows."
He asked participants what they hoped to learn about Islam. One man brought his son with him, which prompted Day to ask if he was there to educate his son.
"No, [I'm here to educate] myself, really," said Emad Sokhun. "I am a Muslim, but I have lived here for 30 years and have lost touch. What Esposito said meant so much, and everything he said is very true."
Day believes having a strong belief in one's own religion allows for exploration of others.
"Most of us are strong enough in our own faith to be accepting to learn and understand more about others," he said. "Anything that invites people to examine their own faith and how it relates to other religions has got to be a good thing. The series is offered as an outreach to the community -- in part to educate ourselves, but to also educate others."
One woman was particularly interested in the ancestry of Islam.
"I like that he pointed out the ancestry of the three religions - Islam, Christianity and Judaism - being traced back to Abraham," she said. "I feel we're going to find out we have more in common that we know."

Teddye Snell writes for the Tahlequah (Okla.) Daily Press.

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