Islam and Interfaith Dialog “ Preventing Another September 11 th ”

OVERVIEW n Why do we need dialog? n Islam and teachings of Islam n Islam and interfaith dialog n Fethullah Gülen n The Institute of Interfaith Dialog n Questions

WHY WE NEED DIALOG n The world becoming smaller n It is not possible for anyone to live in an isolated society n Global village n Everyone in this world became each others neighbor n Problems begin where communication channels are closed or broken down n We are in the information age and dialog should be the main base stone of this age

TODAY’S PROBLEMS n The world today needs peace more than at any time in history n Main Problems War War Environmental pollution Environmental pollution n Existing solutions Further conquest and Further conquest and Domination of nature Domination of nature

PEACE n Peace within human societies within human societies with nature with nature n Peace with the spiritual dimension of one’s existence n And this can be achieved through religious teachings satisfying people’s mind, heart and soul

ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS n There are many common points among Muslim, Christians, and Jewish teachings n Common values love, peace, brotherhood, forgiveness, mercy, and spiritual purification love, peace, brotherhood, forgiveness, mercy, and spiritual purification n We can learn from each other n We can support each other

The Root of ISLAM S - L - M n Islam Peace Peace Security Security Submission to the will of God Submission to the will of God n Peace Peace with oneself Peace with oneself With society With society With God With God n The word "Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God

ISLAM n “Say, we believe in God and that which has been revealed to us, and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and to other prophets, from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.” (The Family of Ìmrán/Al-Ìmrán 83)

ESSENTIALS OF ISLAMIC FAITH n Belief in the existence and oneness of God n Belief in prophets n Belief in holy scriptures n Belief in angels n Belief in destiny n Belief in hereafter

MAIN SOURCES OF ISLAMIC TEACHINGS n Qur’an God’s word God’s word Verses revealed to prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Verses revealed to prophet Muhammad (PBUH) n Teachings of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Prophet Muhammad’s explanations of verses Prophet Muhammad’s explanations of verses

UNITY OF GOD n Qur’an 59:22; The Gathering (Al-Hashr) n “Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- Who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful”

MEANING OF LIFE ACCORDING TO ISLAM n We stay in this life for a very short time n After this world we will have an eternal life n “Be certain of this, that the highest aim of creation and its most important result is belief in God. And the most exalted rank in humanity and its highest degree is the knowledge of God contained within belief in God. And the most radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for human beings is the love of God contained within the knowledge of God.”

THREE MAIN POINTS OF THIS LIFE n “The highest aim of creation and its most important result is belief in God” n “The most exalted rank in humanity and its highest degree is the knowledge of God contained within belief in God” n “The most radiant happiness and sweetest bounty for human beings is the love of God contained within the knowledge of God”

ULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFE Belief in GOD Knowledge of GOD Love of GOD

ULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFE n There is nothing more enjoyable for us than getting close to God n “To those who do right is a fine reward, neither dust nor shame shall cover their faces. Those are the companions of paradise, in it they shall live for forever” (Jonah/Yunus 26)

ISLAM = PEACE n Love n Peace n Tolerance

Islam and Interfaith Dialogue n The word Islam comes from Salam meaning peace peace with God and all of His creation, everything peace with God and all of His creation, everything n Greeting in Islam n In Islam we have two main sources; Qur’an and Qur’an and Prophet’s (SAV) teachings Prophet’s (SAV) teachings

Islam's Call for Dialogue n Hundreds of Qur’anic verses deal with social dialogue and tolerance n Fourteen centuries ago, Islam’s call on Interfaith Dialog Islam’s call on Interfaith Dialog n The Qur'an calls the People of the Book (Christians and Jews primarily)

Qur’an n Say: "O People of the Book! Let us come to common terms between us and you: that we worship none but God; that we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him." (3:64) that we associate no partners with Him." (3:64) n Your religion is for you; my religion is for me. (109:6)

Teaching’s Prophet (PBUH) n The Prophet (PBUH) stated: "I place in your trust the People of the Book, the Christians and Jews." n Umar (RA) stated: "I place the minorities among us in your trust. Fear God regarding them and treat them justly."

Fethullah Gulen n One of the most important scholar emphasize interfaith concept in the Islamic world n His call for love and tolerance n His message is able to reach a very broad audience n Fethullah Gulen condemns every terrorist activity

Gulen’s Statement About September 11 n Published at New York times immediately after the event I would like to stress that any terrorist activity, no matter who does it and for what purpose, is the greatest blow to peace, democracy and humanity. For this reason terrorist activities can by no means be approved of. Terror cannot be a means for independence, nor can it be applied to a struggle for salvation. It costs, most of all, the lives of innocent people. I would like to stress that any terrorist activity, no matter who does it and for what purpose, is the greatest blow to peace, democracy and humanity. For this reason terrorist activities can by no means be approved of. Terror cannot be a means for independence, nor can it be applied to a struggle for salvation. It costs, most of all, the lives of innocent people. Terrorism cannot be a means for any Islamic goal, and a terrorist cannot be a Muslim, nor can a true Muslim be a terrorist. Islam orders peace and a true Muslim can only be a symbol of peace and the maintenance of basic human rights. Terrorism cannot be a means for any Islamic goal, and a terrorist cannot be a Muslim, nor can a true Muslim be a terrorist. Islam orders peace and a true Muslim can only be a symbol of peace and the maintenance of basic human rights. I assure the American people that I pray to God Almighty for the victims and feel from the bottom of my heart the pain of them all. May God equip them with patience. I assure the American people that I pray to God Almighty for the victims and feel from the bottom of my heart the pain of them all. May God equip them with patience.

Gulen’s Teachings on Interfaith Dialog “Be so tolerant that your heart becomes wide like the ocean. Become inspired with faith and love for others. Offer a hand to those in trouble, and be concerned about everyone. “Be so tolerant that your heart becomes wide like the ocean. Become inspired with faith and love for others. Offer a hand to those in trouble, and be concerned about everyone. Applaud the good for their goodness, appreciate those who have believing hearts, and be kind to believers. Approach unbelievers so gently that their envy and hatred melt away. Like a Messiah, revive people with your breath. Applaud the good for their goodness, appreciate those who have believing hearts, and be kind to believers. Approach unbelievers so gently that their envy and hatred melt away. Like a Messiah, revive people with your breath. Return good for evil, and disregard discourteous treatment. An individual's character is reflected in his or her behavior. Choose tolerance, and be mag­ nanimous toward the ill ‑ mannered.” Return good for evil, and disregard discourteous treatment. An individual's character is reflected in his or her behavior. Choose tolerance, and be mag­ nanimous toward the ill ‑ mannered.”

THE INSTITUTE OF INTERFAITH DIALOG n Promotes dialog among all world religions n Interfaith problems rise from Lack of knowledge Lack of knowledge »About other religions »About ones own religion Misunderstanding Misunderstanding n Most religions have the same goal To Please God To Please God

THE INSTITUTE OF INTERFAITH DIALOG n IID organizes Intellectual events Intellectual events Cultural events Cultural events n Promotes universal values Love Love Peace Peace Tolerance Tolerance

سُبْحَانَكَ لاَ عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلاَّ مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ Glory to God, of knowledge We have none, save what You have taught us: In truth it is You Who are perfect in knowledge and wisdom. (The Cow/Al-Baqarah 32)