PROVIDENCE - The only true response that Christians can offer their Muslim neighbors is to work with them to find common ground, said Terry Allen to those gathered for the Christian Men's Breakfast Meeting March 20 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.
"By standing with them where our two faiths allow, we will have the opportunity to show them the true interpretation of the Gospel message," said Allen, a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Help Church, Mapleville, and a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
Allen began by stating that his talk was based on a presentation made by Dr. Timothy George, dean of the Beeson School of Theology at Samford University, Alabama.
The speaker noted that Christians and Muslims share many common convictions, including a belief in heaven and hell; surrendering personal will to the will of God; that Adam and Eve, Moses, Abraham and Jesus are true prophets; and that Jesus raised the dead, cured the sick and ascended into heaven.
He added that Muslims also strongly oppose abortion on demand, and practice abstinence from alcohol and extramarital sex.
Allen emphasized that while Muslims believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, they follow the Qur'an the sacred scripture Islam teaches was revealed to the prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel in the seventh century, and after 1,400 years, remains authentic in its Arabic text. The Qur'an, a book of instruction, contains God's guidance through teachings and commandments, and is used and understood by millions of followers throughout the world. Muslims regard the Qur' an, which came after the Gospels and the Torah, as a continuation of other divine messages that started with those revealed to Adam.
Allen added that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world.
"There are more than 1,300 mosques in North America alone, and Islam is growing not only by high birth rate, but by conversion as well," he said, adding that only 15 percent of the world's Muslim population lives in the Middle East. Currently, 110 million Muslims live in India, and in the last three decades, the Islamic religion "has made great inroads into Europe, North America and South America."
According to Allen, devout Muslims follow the five basic tenets of Islam, which state: There is only one god, who is Allah; Mohammed was the last and greatest of all prophets; our life on earth is merely a preparation for our heavenly reward; and faithful followers should praise Allah, follow the Qur'an and do good deeds throughout their lives.
These tenets are supported by five pillars: Shahadah, a profession of faith, based on the principle that there is no god except Allah, and that Mohammed is the messenger of Allah; Salat, a series of prescribed prayers, recited five times daily while facing Mecca; Zakat, the rule to give alms, up to 2.5 percent of one's wealth, not income; Sawm, the act of fasting, especially during Ramadan the period when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mohammed and gave him the Qur'an. Muslims should also make a Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca, once in their lifetime. Mecca is the chosen site of this religious pilgrimage because it is where Abraham is believed to have established the first sacrificial altar for Allah.
Allen, who is employed by a national banking concern, concluded by telling the audience that researching his presentation gave him a " better appreciation" for Muslims in his own workplace and community.
(This article originally appeared in The Providence Journal)
