Islam
« Previous EntriesIslam in America
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008Interesting news article today about the way in which some Muslims in the US, especially women, are looking at ways of living the spirit of the Qur’an, rather than practising Islam as reflected by some specific cultural traditions.
You can read it here.
Sacrifice
Thursday, December 20th, 2007
Photograph by Troy Mason
As I watched the red sun rise over icy fields this morning, I thought of the hot sunrise thousands of years ago upon which our ancestor Abraham awoke to the knowledge that he must kill his beloved son.
You know the story: God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt […]
The circle becomes whole again
Wednesday, September 12th, 2007I’ve been thinking about circles today. The symbol of perfect wholeness, of no beginning and no ending, and of constant beginning and constant ending.
Tonight marks Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the beginning of the Days of Awe which end with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Challah is baked round, to symbolise the […]
Six years on
Tuesday, September 11th, 2007The Archbishop of Canterbury is marking the sixth anniversary of 9/11 today by giving a speech at a Christian/Muslim conference. Dr. Williams’ remarks will include a request to respect terrorists and his view that torture can never be justified.
What a brave speech. He will no doubt be vilified in many quarters. Small portions of his […]
Faith Walk
Saturday, July 14th, 2007Today I went on the Faith Walk in South London I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.
We had been given a piece of paper that looked like a treasure map, and the meeting point was outside a mosque down a quiet side street. When I arrived, there were about half-a-dozen people including Q, the Muslim […]
Serendipity, grace or challenge?
Friday, June 29th, 2007Have you ever noticed how as soon as you decide to do something that’s a bit uncomfortable, the opportunity presents itself almost immediately?
Over the past few months I’ve become increasing interested in Islam, in finding out more about it. (In fact how could anyone not be interested in at least achieving a balanced view, given the […]
Idolatry?
Thursday, June 28th, 2007I’ve just started reading Karen Armstrong’s biography of the Prophet. She is a noted scholar and self-described ‘freelance monotheist’ whose book A History of God I talk about in this post and thoroughly recommend.
Her writings on Islam and her attempts to bridge the gap between world faiths have gained her respect throughout the Muslim world.
I […]
Beloved
Tuesday, June 19th, 2007What a beautiful word. Beloved. Be loved. We don’t have to do anything to earn God’s love, we just have to be. And allow ourselves to be. Loved.
So many biblical references:
Of Benjamin he said:
The beloved of the Lord rests in safety—
the High God surrounds him all day long—
the beloved rests between his shoulders.
Deuteronomy, 33.12
It is […]