Since the beginning of the new millennium, media coverage related to Islam

has increased dramatically. This has lead to an increased misunderstanding

about what the nature of Islam, who Muslims are, and how engaging with

Muslims is one of the greatest necessities of our time. 

 

As Christians, we too often sweep learning, talking and engaging with 

Muslims under the rug.  Sometimes, we simply just don't know how

to approach the subject and often fear it will inevitably turn into a heated

theological debate about salvation.Whether this is intentional or not, interfaith

relations--especially with Muslims--is one of the most important, difficult and

necessary topics of our time. 

 

At a college like Messiah, where it seems we are only interacting with other

Christians, it may appear as if there is no crucial need to interact or learn about Islam.

However, Islam represents the 2nd largest religion in the world, with about 1.8 billion Muslims according to the CIA. Which means that Muslims and Christians generally make up the majority of the worlds population. 

 

"If Muslims and Christians can learn to live in peace, and to appreciate each other and love one another as Jesus taught us, then that goes a long way toward world peace," said Dr. George Pickens, professor of Theology and Mission who teaches Islam at Messiah. 

 

 Understanding Islam can nudge us towards more informed worldviews, and a deeper understanding of who our neighbors are.  

"The most important thing is to know that Islam is incredibly diverse, like our own faith. Secondly, we should not politicize Islam. We need to engage Muslims in truth, in fairness, and in love as Jesus teaches us," he explained. 

 

Junior Sesay Bayoh, who grew up in a Muslim household, converted to Christianity after moving to boarding school. For Bayoh, understanding and identifying the two religions differences and similarities was quite the challenge. 

 

Today, she believes there can be understanding between the two. As Bayoh explained, Muslims do believe in a monotheistic God (Allah, in Arabic) and while the Qur'an speaks about Jesus as a great prophet, he is not believed to be the Son of God. 

 

While we often hear reports of violence coming from the Muslim community, peace is imbedded into Islam but it is not a pacifist religion. Rather, there is a just-war tradition in which violence is the last option, similar to Christianity. 

 

Many people believe that the rise of violence stems from frustration, anger, disillusionment, and distrust of modernity; therefore it is currently a widely-held belief that Islam is currently going through its reformation, much like Christianity did hundreds of years ago. 

 

Pickens continued, "I think the most difficult neighbor to love in our time are Muslims. Can we love our neighbor who is a Muslim? The real test of faithfulness to Jesus is loving your enemy and I don't think all Muslims are our enemy, in fact, I know they are not, but some would consider themselves to be. So I think this is a real test of our faithfulness and one that we must meet."