Understanding our Muslim neighbours

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October 2006

Understanding our Muslim neighbours

Bishop John's seminar - a personal view from Jean Howes

With great anticipation I went to Bishop John's seminar on the Friday night, hoping that a balanced view would be presented. I was delighted to find the information given was as accurate as possible - Bishop John had discussed many areas with the Imam of the mosque in Hobart - and it was presented non-judgementally and in a respectful manner. So I rolled up the next day for another dose!

I found that attitudes and approaches to religion were very different from Christianity, and this created many misunderstandings.

Muslims are people of 'The Book' - the Qur'an; Christians are people of 'The Book' - the Bible.

The Christian approach to the Bible is that it is God-inspired and it can be discussed, interpreted and read in many translations. The Qur'an was dictated to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel and is the direct word of God. It is also a holy book written only in Arabic and never to be translated, never questioned and totally accepted as originally written.

This explained to me why it is so difficult to discuss or argue with a Muslim about his religion, for it is set in concrete and it shows a lack of faith to even question the writings in the Qur'an.

This seminar really helped me to understand much more about the Muslim faith, although we didn't go deeply into the beliefs of the different sects. One thing was very apparent - the brotherhood of all Muslims throughout the world - same God, same Qur'an, same language. A believer could go to Friday prayers at the mosque anywhere in the world and feel comfortable. Submission to God and obedience to the required observances are more important than the heart attitudes of Christianity.

It seems to me that in a democratic country where we have accepted Muslims from many different countries, we need to have religious tolerance, while firmly holding onto our own beliefs. Many have left homelands where persecution has become intolerable. By holding out a hand of friendship to individuals we can begin to break down barriers. Bishop John has sent to the wider community a message offering peace and harmony on the part of Anglicans by holding this seminar.

But let us not become complacent.

Islam is a religion that likes to gain territory. The dilemma for the government of Australia is how to balance religious freedom for all without taking away the rights and nature of our society. How does Centrelink pay an unemployed Muslim man who practices polygamy and has multiple children, in a country that by law requires monogamy? How does the local swimming pool react to a request from Muslim women, who cannot bathe in mixed company, to have a special time set aside for them? There will be many such examples now and in the future.

Is there a conflict between Islam and Australian secular society? Is a compromise possible? If so, compromise must be on both sides, and yet it appears that there is little compromise in Islam. If Muslims choose to live in a Christian/Western country, should that country change the law to accommodate that religion? Britain is currently facing that dilemma.

After being asked what was the most important commandment, Jesus replied,

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…and love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these'. Mark 12: 30,31.

I do not have all the answers, but I certainly have more understanding and thank all those involved in presenting this seminar.

Jean Howes belongs to the Parish of St Mark's, Bellerive.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
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				October 2006

		Understanding our Muslim neighbours Bishop John's seminar - a personal view from Jean Howes With great anticipation I went to Bishop John's seminar on the Friday night, hoping that a balanced view would be presented. I was delighted to find the information given was as accurate as possible - Bishop John had discussed many areas with the Imam of the mosque in Hobart - and it was presented non-judgementally and in a respectful manner. So I rolled up the next day for another dose! I found that attitudes and approaches to religion were very different from Christianity, and this created many misunderstandings. Muslims are people of 'The Book' - the Qur'an; Christians are people of 'The Book' - the Bible. The Christian approach to the Bible is that it is God-inspired and it can be discussed, interpreted and read in many translations. The Qur'an was dictated to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel and is the direct word of God. It is also a holy book written only in Arabic and never to be translated, never questioned and totally accepted as originally written. This explained to me why it is so difficult to discuss or argue with a Muslim about his religion, for it is set in concrete and it shows a lack of faith to even question the writings in the Qur'an. This seminar really helped me to understand much more about the Muslim faith, although we didn't go deeply into the beliefs of the different sects. One thing was very apparent - the brotherhood of all Muslims throughout the world - same God, same Qur'an, same language. A believer could go to Friday prayers at the mosque anywhere in the world and feel comfortable. Submission to God and obedience to the required observances are more important than the heart attitudes of Christianity. It seems to me that in a democratic country where we have accepted Muslims from many different countries, we need to have religious tolerance, while firmly holding onto our own beliefs. Many have left homelands where persecution has become intolerable. By holding out a hand of friendship to individuals we can begin to break down barriers. Bishop John has sent to the wider community a message offering peace and harmony on the part of Anglicans by holding this seminar. But let us not become complacent. Islam is a religion that likes to gain territory. The dilemma for the government of Australia is how to balance religious freedom for all without taking away the rights and nature of our society. How does Centrelink pay an unemployed Muslim man who practices polygamy and has multiple children, in a country that by law requires monogamy? How does the local swimming pool react to a request from Muslim women, who cannot bathe in mixed company, to have a special time set aside for them? There will be many such examples now and in the future. Is there a conflict between Islam and Australian secular society? Is a compromise possible? If so, compromise must be on both sides, and yet it appears that there is little compromise in Islam. If Muslims choose to live in a Christian/Western country, should that country change the law to accommodate that religion? Britain is currently facing that dilemma. After being asked what was the most important commandment, Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…and love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these'. Mark 12: 30,31. I do not have all the answers, but I certainly have more understanding and thank all those involved in presenting this seminar. Jean Howes belongs to the Parish of St Mark's, Bellerive.