Leave quotation of sacred texts to theologians

By Haroon Siddiqui Toronto Star, Sep 12 2010
Extract:

"Pastor Terry Jones wanted to burn the Qur’an because he believes it preaches violence. That, in fact, has been an article of faith for critics of Islam post-9/11. “See, it says right here,” they say, pointing to the “Sword Verses,” of which they are a dozen. They quote them selectively, as does Osama bin Laden — he to justify violent jihad, they to demonize Islam...

In fact, Philip Jenkins, professor of religion at Penn State University and author of Jesus Wars and Dark Passages, has argued that “the scriptures in the Qur’an are far less bloody and less violent than those in the Bible. There’s a specific kind of warfare laid down in the Bible which we can only call genocide..." continue reading

On the same shelf:

Is The Bible More Violent Than The Quran?
by Barbara Bradley Hagerty

Extract: "Much to my surprise, the Islamic scriptures in the Quran were actually far less bloody and less violent than those in the Bible," Jenkins says.

Jenkins is a professor at Penn State University and author of two books dealing with the issue: the recently published Jesus Wars, and Dark Passages , which has not been published but is already drawing controversy.

Violence in the Quran, he and others say, is largely a defense against attack.

Philip Jenkins:
"The book I am working on right now is called Dark Passages: How Religions Learn to Forget Their Bloody Origins..."

India: A Glimpse of Multifaith Composite Culture

Note: This post coincides with the world wide celebrations of Hindi Day, a language that co-exists in the name of Hindustani, more here and here: Simplify Hindi news to reach masses: Ambika Soni









On the same shelf:

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Multifaith Perspective

Faith and the city: Just one prayer away from God

According to the Quality of Life survey by DNA and AZ research, overall 55% of adults in the city pray, whereas the number of people who meditate is seen to be rising, especially in Mumbai city. In fact, the survey findings indicate that meditation as a habit has become quite popular in central suburbs and central Mumbai.

DECCANI HINDI GAVE BIRTH TO URDU

Chowk: Books Arts & Culture: Story of Hindustani II

Hindi or Hindustani -the Differences in Various Forms of Hindi Spoken And Written in India

Hindi Day celebration from Sep 14, 2010

Mind Your Language: Needed, a National Script! by Rajinder Puri

Elegy for India, by Gamal Nkrumah, Al-Ahram Weekly

US gives India high marks on religious freedom

Building on Faith in Lower Manhattan

By FEISAL ABDUL RAUF, September 7, 2010
- NYTimes.com

Extract:

Above all, the project will amplify the multifaith approach that the Cordoba Initiative has deployed in concrete ways for years. Our name, Cordoba, was inspired by the city in Spain where Muslims, Christians and Jews co-existed in the Middle Ages during a period of great cultural enrichment created by Muslims. Our initiative is intended to cultivate understanding among all religions and cultures.

Our broader mission — to strengthen relations between the Western and Muslim worlds and to help counter radical ideology — lies not in skirting the margins of issues that have polarized relations within the Muslim world and between non-Muslims and Muslims. It lies in confronting them as a joint multifaith, multinational effort.

From the political conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians to the building of a community center in Lower Manhattan, Muslims and members of all faiths must work together if we are ever going to succeed in fostering understanding and peace.

At Cordoba House, we envision shared space for community activities, like a swimming pool, classrooms and a play space for children. There will be separate prayer spaces for Muslims, Christians, Jews and men and women of other faiths. The center will also include a multifaith memorial dedicated to victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. continue reading

Five myths about mosques in America

By Edward E. Curtis IV
Sunday, August 29, 2010
washingtonpost.com

1. Mosques are new to this country.
2. Mosques try to spread sharia law in the United States.
3. Most people attending U.S. mosques are of Middle Eastern descent.
4. Mosques are funded by groups and governments unfriendly to the United States.
5. Mosques lead to homegrown terrorism. Continue reading

On the same shelf:

No grounds for ‘mosque’ hysteria, Faisal Kutty.com

The not so great Islamist menace
By Dan Gardner, Ottawa Citizen, January 5, 2011
Extract:

As for who's responsible, forget Islamists. The overwhelming majority of the attacks-- 237 of 294 -- were carried out by separatist groups, such as the Basque ETA. A further 40 terrorist schemes were pinned on leftist and/ or anarchist terrorists. Rightists were responsible for four attacks. Single-issue groups were behind two attacks, while responsibility for a further 10 was not clear.
Islamists? They were behind a grand total of one attack. Yes, one. Out of 294 attacks. In a population of half a billion people. To put that in perspective, the same number of attacks was committed by the Comite d'Action Viticole, a French group that wants to stop the importation of foreign wine.

The Sacred Art Of Fasting (Preparing to Practice)

Multifaith Calendar (sample):

August 1: Fast in honor of Holy Mother of Lord Jesus - Orthodox Christian

August 11: Ramadan begins - Islam through September 10 (date mostly decided by the local communities based on the moon sighting)

Nov 15: Nativity Fast through December 24 - Orthodox Christian

A video compilation about Ramadan, 9th month of the Islamic calendar. Background nasheed by Zain Bhikha.

Welcome to the spirit of fast, so common in most of the religions, mostly observed in combination: fasting with prayer (where fasting is a physical discipline, and praying is a spiritual discipline). Read the book: The Sacred Art Of Fasting

"One of the book's strengths is its evenhanded introduction to each of the six religions it covers (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Mormonism) and the inclusion in each chapter of a "living voice from the tradition." These narratives allow adherents from each religion to speak from their own belief and experience, and they range in style from simple exposition to personal essay and interview format. The chapter on Christianity is slightly partial toward the author's own Catholicism, but the principles it explores are broadly inclusive. Another gem is the chapter with suggestions for keeping the spirit of a fast even if actual abstention is not physically possible for health reasons. This is a much-needed treatise that will attract believers from all faiths. (From Publishers Weekly @ Amazon.com)

Table of Contents:
Introduction ix
1 In Search of Fasting as a Spiritual Practice 1;
2 Judaism: Purification, Mourning, Atonement 13;
3 Christianity: Mystical Longing, Liberation through Discipline, Work of Justice 35;
4 Islam: Allah-Consciousness, Self-Restraint, Social Solidarity 67;
5 Hinduism: Purity, Respect, Penance 91;
6 Buddhism: Purity of Body, Clarity of Mind, Moderation 103;
7 Latter-day Saints: Offerings for Those in Want, Strengthening in the Faith 113;
8 What Makes Fasting a Sacred Art? 129;
9 Preparing to Practice 141;

See also:

Ramadan Highway Code - Visualization - Do's & Don'ts

I'tikaf: Spiritual Retreat for Women at Home?

I`tikaf City of Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI)

Itikaf; Spiritual Retreat

N.J. school district to observe Muslim and Hindu holidays

Ramadan: How non-Muslims can approach the Koran

Extract: "Just as Ghazi recommends non-Christians or Jews start reading the Bible by going first to poetic and inspiring sections such as the Psalms -- rather than the dry, difficult books of Deuteronomy or Leviticus -- she suggests some sections of the Koran are more accessible than others, passages such as Sura 1, titled "Fatiha;" Sura 12, titled "Joseph," or Sura 97, titled "El Qadr."

Ghazi urges readers to avoid thinking that the Koran is to be read "literally," the way a Protestant fundamentalist might approach the Bible -as historical, scientifically established fact.

Since the Koran is often highly symbolic, filled with sacred teachings that come across like poetry, Ghazi says it is impossible to read literally. It is always subject to interpretation. Grave misunderstandings can be avoided by reading a reliable translation, with commentary."

Mahatma Gandhi and the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH)

By Asghar Ali Engineer

Note: This imaginary dialogue between Gandhiji and the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) is to clarify many misunderstandings which are being spread about Islam and Muslims. My mission in life is to promote peace and inter-religious understanding and to struggle against religious fanaticism and extremism. As I have deep conviction about teachings of Islam, I am also great admirer of Gandhiji and his philosophy of non-violence. (A.E.)

Gandhiji: I have drawn inspiration from Islam as much as from Christianity. Islam’s emphasis on justice, equality and human dignity has always attracted me as love and forgiveness of Christianity. The Sermon on the Mount specially attracted my attention. As you know I am deeply committed to philosophy of non-violence and it is in this respect that I am approaching you to know more in depth about Islam’s teachings about non-violence. It is necessary as Islam and terrorism are being equated by some anti Islamic forces and it is you who can help dispel these attacks on Islam. Who can be the better person than you, O Prophet of Islam.

Prophet: I am so much pained that Islam is under attack today whereas 21st century should have been the most appropriate period to appreciate its teachings. Yes, I admit there are all kinds of people in any religion and some may be motivated by their own selfish interests and indulge in violence or other misdeeds but a religion should be judged by its core teachings, not by what some followers do. I hope you will agree with me.

Gandhiji: Yes I do agree with you sir, the great Prophet of Islam. continue reading: Gandhiji and the Prophet (PBUH),