Hello Guardian readers!
Welcome to new readers who have read my article today in the Guardian. I invite you to keep reading below and check out the rest of the site. For my regular readers, my article that was published in The Guardian's Face to Faith column is here. You can leave comments here at spirit21 or on the Guardian site
Labels: faith, Islam, The Guardian, The Retreat
posted by Shelina Zahra Janmohamed at 00:47
18 Comments:
Interesting article. I would suggest that you also have a look at the Amman Message that has been endorsed by hundreds of Sunni and Shia scholars from around the world. It seeks to define who a Muslim is. It is a great development in promoting tolerance amongst Muslims. The link is www.ammanmessage.com.
An important classical Islamic text which serves a similar purpose is Abu Hamid al Ghazali's Faysal al Tafriqa www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Theological-Tolerance-Islam-Philosophy/dp/0195797914
I believe that God is one, and that Mohammed is one of his/her/its prophets, but don't think that makes me a Muslim. In fact I am a Christian priest.
ScotJohn
I wandered over here from the guardian comment page. Your article has provoked some interesting comments and a few new debates - I wanted to say thank you for that. Your blog looks interesting too - I might hang around.
I loved your piece. I am a Christian, but also believe that, "our religiouis beliefs should be a garden to tolerance, understanding and respect,..."
Thank you for your precious words.
Ann
Great article.
I too believe that God is one, and that Mohammed is one of his prophets/messengers. I suspect that makes me a muslim even though I practice my faith as a christian.
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandments were (Mark 12.28-34 he replied "Love the Lord your God with all your heart......Love your neighbour as yourself".
I dont believe that Jews, Muslims, Hindus or any other faiths would have any problem with these words. We are all one under one God.
Denina
Have just visited the Guardian website. You certainly stirred up a hornets nest. Well done.
Denina
I'm another who came here after enjoying your article. It used 'the Retreat' as a starting point. I saw the second episode but missed the first and third. Can anyone tell me if it's downloadable or will be repeated?
Congratulations on an excellent piece - an articulate and inspiring plea for tolerance and diversity much needed at this time
As a revert to Islam for just over a year now, the whole "finger pointing" issue is such a shame to see in such a beautiful religion
This is a timely write up. Before going to UK I never thought Shia-Sunni schism runs so deep and didn't know people give so much importance to the outward practices of Islam The first shock came to me when in Sheffield after the Juma prayer a devotee next to me lectured why my way of prayer was wrong! It was always very uncomfortable for me going to the university islamic center for prayer. Hope muslim students in UK would read the article and try to realize and practice the essence of Islam.
excellent article - we are forever seeking tolerance let us dish some out
also.
Although a superb article in its own right, I find it kinda ironic given the amount of finger-pointing found here on Spirit21.
I particularly liked the following comment from the discussion thread on the Guardian site.
It was posted by Antiqua
It has occurred to me that Shelina has posed quite a conundrum in the heading of the original article. She appears to be saying to fellow believers that they are wrong to tell other believers that they are wrong.
Would it be wrong of me to suggest that she is er.... wrong?
:~))
Hello everyone who has swung by from the Guardian - it's good to see you!
N Lamont, I'm pretty sure that episodes of the Retreat must be somewhere on the web, maybe YouTube? I think it was made my an independent company so wasn't posted on the BBC site, alas... Alternatively you can write to the BBC, maybe they will send you a recording?
Nabeelah - welcome! Yes, please do hang around, you are most humbly welcomed. Good comments on the Guardian as well!
Ann, and anonymous Christian priest - I think when beliefs are laid out at their simplest and most universal, then the commonality shines through. I'll be curious to learn more about how the Christian doctrine accommodates the existence of Prophets after Jesus...
Ann, I also wanted to share with you a verse from the Qur'an which seems pertinent to me: "Indeed those who believe, and those who are Jews and the Christians and the Sabians, whoever believes in God and the last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Sustainer, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve." So as long as you believe in God and you do good, it looks like things may well be ok :D
And on a different note, it was good to see such a lively discussion (!) on the Guardian. The piece made it to number 2 on the most active posts!
well written and an interesting piece. As a Muslim and someone who travels alot for work, I come across alot of this labelling from fellow muslims and find it very disheartening. I feel that it is this sort of attitude that Muslims themselves do the greatest disservice to Prophet Muhamed(PBuH) and to Islam;a religion of utmost tolerance, beauty,submission and peace.
live n let live !
Peace!
fatema
www.open-discussions.com
Dear Shelina,
Thank you ever so much for those beautiful and true words. It is heartenting to hear a voice like yours in times like these.
Peace
grebe
Thank YOU Grebe
THERE IS NO GOD BUT GOD...IS BETTER TRANSLATED..to..THERE IS NO DEITY BUT ONE AND MOHAMAD IS THE FINAL MESSENGER,
Mohamed Latif
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