Imam Malik Mujahid, MA, malik@soundvision.com, Advanced Career, Sound Vision Foundation, Chicago, IL, 27 E. Monroe St. #700, Chicago, IL 60603
Hate, fear and anger are rising in America and around the world. The Interfaith movement in the USA and abroad can play a critical role in cultivating harmony among the faith communities. Their dialogue and engagement can potentially help achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world. The presentation will share examples about the success and the failures of the Muslim American community in the interfaith movement. The presentation will also share that the interfaith ethos is ground in the belief structure and the culture of Muslims. For that purpose, the presentation will introduce the constitution of the city of Prophet Muhammad, Medina, which was contractually agreed upon 1,400 years ago to establish a harmonious co-existence between adherents of different religions and tribes. It offered full autonomy in religious and civil matters to each of the city's religious groups by declaring all signatories as one people, while agreeing to defend the city-state together. We will also compare and offer insights into the application of these ideals several hundred years later in Spain and India to elaborate on the Islamic heritage of co-existence. This presentation, bound to inspire a good discussion about the ideals of the past and realities of today, will highlight the essential Islamic teachings about pluralism and the space of “the other.”
