Islam and Christianity are monotheistic religions that share a God-centered ethic that respects the rights of all. Together they comprise nearly half of the world's population. In this edifying resource, Ovey N. Mohammed, who is a professor at Regis College, University of Toronto, presents a strong case for expanding Muslim-Christian relations.
In the first chapter, the author outlines the major lineaments of Islam for Christians — Mohammed, Qur'an, the importance of law, Sunnis and Shi'ites, and Sufism. He then explains some of the obstacles to cooperation between these two religious communities brought on by the Christian crusades, Western domination of the Muslim world through colonialism, and the undermining of Islamic faith by zealous missionaries. Although Roman Catholics such as St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) and Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) have emphasized the value of Christian respect for Islam, many contemporary Christians, especially Protestant conservatives, still argue that Christianity must hold to its exclusivist approach to salvation.
Islam is growing in America among African-Americans, and resources like this one are desperately needed. Mohammed concludes this volume in the Orbis Faith Meets Faith Series with a glossary and useful addresses of periodicals and organizations devoted to Muslim-Christian dialogue.