Why is this furious campaign against Islam in the West? If we want to think through the things without interpretation, we say that there is some desire to strike Islam derisively and with clear retaliation. Why to provoke Muslims now, as if there is a party which assorts hostile words for people from different prospects?
The story began with pictures from Denmark, until it has reached this offending Film [by Californian filmmaker Sam Bacile], of which I watched a part. At least it has to be said that the movie is repulsive since it clearly impugns the Arab Prophet.
Also the thrusts in the French press have confounded me. I do not understand this propagation in fighting Islam especially that the world seeks peace and the competitive spirit among religions has disappeared since a long while. Are there specific political powers to fight Islam? It is clear, for those observers of religious concerns in the world, that churches are opening up for other religions, and there are documents to prove this.
You see that theological schools in this country [Lebanon], and other countries, teach Islam in completely scientific ways similar to the way Muslims teach, and you do not argue or dispute. In the Lebanese University either Muslims or Christians teach Arab-Islamic culture. Throughout years I have been doing this at the university, and no one objected saying, how a Christian cleric could teach Islamics, as it is part of the Arab culture?
What is in the mindset of the movie-producers or the article-writers in newspapers in order to attack Islam? How this phenomenon has started? The most I can say is that Christian denominations, and I am following their intellectual and practical activities, are not recruited at all against the Islamic doctrine. Thus, I conclude that Christian leaders have not propounded this absurd move, which has been partly manifested in press or in cinema. The spiritual and intellectual leaders of Arab Islam know that.
We are thankful to God that Arab Muslim scholars have faced these campaigns, against their religion, quietly. This is partly because of their trust in Arab Christians, who want to live with Muslims in peace and discernment.
I do not want to come back to this abusive movie which has impugned the Prophet, and I have read the biography of the Arab prophet well, and I became assured that whatever has been presented [in the movie] is not reported in his biography. Whatever has appeared in recent times [through those campaigns] is nothing than falsehood, the source of which I do not know. There is no trace for science in this output, and consequently I can say nothing other than it is entirely the work of political intelligence.
Regarding the Muslims, and after they have showed their rightful anger, they have to act wisely, and their leaders do not lack wisdom. Christians, in our Arab world and in the West, have to stand by Muslims, since the believers in Christ long for truth and religious peace in our countries and in the world.
The start is the life in unison, which implies full respect of the doctrine of the Other, as part of the admissible intellectual difference. My wish is that all the people of the West, who form the civilized society, might understand that the Crusades had elapsed, though the present war has nothing to do with the cross.
We, Arab Christians, have decided since the Islamic conquest to live with Muslims in peace and social unity, with total freedom for all. We are seekers of freedom for all citizens, and I mean freedom which is responsible and loving for the Other.
This implies all kinds, expressions and manifestations of freedom until God’s rule, justice and care encompass the world. To have confidence in the Other means that you accept him/[her] as practicing his/[her] religion, and you accept the societal image of his/[her] religion and his/[her] right for calling, prayer, family education and the right to speak, rejecting whatever violates courtesy and brotherhood.
Our region knows this friendly atmosphere since we live friendships between the families, individuals and professionals and we approach each other in sincerity and we do not distinguish among people, rather we distinguish between the gracious and the vicious ones.
The pure and the truthful community surpasses all mere mental aspirations. This is divinely given, however human effort is appended to it, since peace does not occur incidentally but it needs to be refined, and whenever you refine it, the grace of God descends upon you.
I do not say that our destiny is to live together, but that our choice is to live together. Christianity and Islam are present together among the folk of God and God is the keeper of the two people through God’s enduring inclination till the last hour of human times. All this requires great patience and good will, which coexists with divine compassion.
Nevertheless, the world is not completely free from emerging partisanships that are justified by some. However, we know that these are the outcome of evil scruples; while the will of the Lord is that we love and meet each other. The erudite ones can discuss about what is logical and what surpasses the mind. Yet, you cannot talk to the Other unless you find the existence of the Other, namely his/[her] heart and work, pleasant.
We cannot disregard the existence of the Other or forget that he/[she] is here [with us], rather we should acknowledge his/[her] presence with us, within the scope of our existence, and in the heart, and maybe all our scope is the heart. In my reading, the heart is the throne of God, and if God is my God and the God of the Muslim, then, in God’s perception, we are one.
Translated by Sylvie Avakian-Maamarbashi
Original Text: “الحملة على الاسلام” –An Nahar- 29.09.2012
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