"Improving the Image of Islam"

The Financial Times of yesterday, November 12th carried an intriguing and hopeful article on "Saudis...Move to Improve Image of Islam." Since the 9/11 attacks, Islam is often thought as radical, fanatic, and a propeller of terrorism. Saudi Arabia has especially come under a harsh spotlight, accused of "breeding extremism." In a move to counteract this negative image of Islam and its own portrayal in the western world, Saudi Arabia is hosting a 2-day conference at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York encouraging interfaith dialogue. It hopes that this event marks the beginning of an "image of Islam as a religion that favors dialogue over violence." Since last year, King Abdullah, the king of Saudi Arabia has participated and led multi faith dialogues with other religions and with various Muslim sects.

While the king's actions on promoting multi faith dialogues internationall is lauded, many locals Saudis complain of discrimination in their own country due to their differing religious beliefs. Many have voiced the hypocrisy of King Abdullah, who seems determined to change the way world views Islam yet he denies his own people the freedom of religion.


Although it has to be recognized that King Abdullah does indeed needs to improve religious tolerance in his own country, it cannot be denied that the need of and for this event is equally critical. It is extremely satisfying to see King Abdullah taking the initiative to promote Islam in an interfaith setting. Opening dialogues between Islam and the world, especially the western world, is a necessary and important step to eradicating and preventing misconceptions and stereotypes of the Islamic religion and improving its image.

Ramadan: An Insider's View

On the recommendation of our new interim director, Dr. Lucinda Mosher, I visited the website "ReadtheSpirit." As I was wandering through the maze of materials and links provided for individuals and communities interested in interfaith development, I came across first hand accounts of Muslims fasting this Ramadan. In this week's showcase, a young girl of eight years discusses her thoughts and feelings about the most important holiday for Muslims. In a refreshing account, she shares her uncertainties about fasting, her thoughts on what the holiday is about, what she likes the best about this particular holiday, and the activities they engage in.

This showcase provides another dimension and an insider view on what Ramadan is all about. Instead of reading about Ramadan practices in books and from adults, Danya's voice offers an unique opportunity to learn about the holiday through a different and a younger perspective.

Religious tolerance in the U.S.

The New York Times had an article on religious tolerance in the United States today. A survey conducted recently found some interesting results. Check it out:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/us/24religion.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

Tony Blair's Enters the Interfaith Domain

Last week, Time published an article by Michael Elliott regarding his time spent with former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Specifically, the piece discusses Blair's new interfaith organization, The Tony Blair Faith Foundation, "which, among other things, is dedicated to proving that collaboration among those of different religious faiths can help address some of the world's most pressing social problems." Elliott then goes on to describe Blair's own personal religiosity as he has come to understand it based on two long conversations with the former Prime Minister.

Throughout the piece, Elliott also brings into discussion the much-debated relationship between religion and state. Blair's own comment regarding the matter is quite profound. "The worst thing in politics," he says, "is when you're so scared of losing support that you don't do what you think is the right thing. What faith can do is not tell you what is right but give you the strength to do it."

Overall, it is an incredibly interesting article that illuminates not only Blair's interest in interfaith relations but also how this interest can be, and is, translated into the global, political context.

Help Cyclone Victims in Myanmar!

In the wake of the Cyclone Nargis, the country of Myanmar faces a terrible crisis. Tens of thousands of people are already dead, and the body count continues to rise. People are left without food, shelter, electricity, or access to health care, leaving survivors to confront the terror of rampant disease.
There is no time to delay or to stand by helplessly; the people of Myanmar need immediate aid! I'd suggest giving to one of the following charities. Make a difference!

American Jewish World Service
45 West 36th Street
New York, NY 10018
1-212-792-2900
http://www.ajws.org/

American Red Cross
Internation Response Fund
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
1-800-HELP-NOW

Operation Blessing International
977 Centerville Turnpike
Virginia Beach, VA 23463
http://community.ob.org/

U.S. Fund for UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane, 11th Floor,
New York, NY. 10038
1-800-4UNICEF
http://www.unicefusa.org