Three Muslim scholars discuss Christian-Muslim relations, an issue on which Muslims have for far too long remained silent.
Dr Anees surveys the history of relations between Islam and Christianity, which began propitiously when Muhammad advised a group of Muslims to seek refuge with the Christian King Negus of Abyssinia. Dr Abedin reasons that, given the mission orientation of both religions, theological distinctions should be put aside so that people of both faiths can come together to promote trust and community. Now that secularism has all but failed, Dr Sardar places the onus on Christians and Muslims to fill the emerging moral and social vacuum with an ethical system that is both distinctively contemporary and deeply rooted in authentic religious tradition.
What could be more appropriate than a joint Christian-Jewish-Muslim ethical enterprise designed to generate intellectual and social responses to the problems of our age?
For people of all religions who despair that even with common roots, religions continue to view the other as ‘the enemy’.