Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Drs. Hulsman and Dr. Burslem provide a detailed report on Muslim-Christian relations based on a review of Dr. Hugh Goddard’s book, commenting on a number of issues including Western perceptions, mis-interpretations, and examples of recent incidents involving Muslims and Christians.

Dr. Zaqzūq stresses the need to enter into genuine interreligious dialogue on a cultural basis rather than a materialistic and technological one. Technology and scientific development should be a means of communication between the different nations of the world; differences, however, should be a motivation for dialogue that is devoid of prejudice and superiority.

The author discusses

his own opinions regarding ‘inter-religious dialogue,’ and how the ways in which individual religion view

themselves will

hinder this dialogue.

The author criticizes Sayyed Al-Qimni´s opinions concerning the punishment for apostasy in Islam and accuses him of ignorance. He argues that because Al-Qimni belongs to the Qur´anien, who deny the sunna, he denies the faith mentioned in the Qur´an.

The author expressed the opinion that Islam is the sealed religion and the only religion accepted by God. He quoted many Qura’nic verses to prove that all prophets starting from Noah and ending by Jesus Christ had called for Islam.

Shebl says the series of "Awan Al-Ward" led to discussions that Egyptians were in dire need of. Before the disaster of 1967 [in reference to the defeat of the six day war], there were no discussions about the relationship between Muslims and Christians. People were dealing with their companions on the basis of personal characteristics until what is called ’religious awareness’ came to surface in the 1970s. After that religion played a role in the relationship between people. "Awan Al-Ward" courageously addressed this new unhealthy climate.

... we asked the professors of the Azhar and Islamic scholars for their opinion on what Al-Banna says. Their rage and objections against what he said surprised us. They made it clear that the apostate’s punishment is death and that a Muslim has no freedom to leave his religion.

Under the title "Why did the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar retreat from participation in building the church at Beheira?", a weekly newspaper published an article about Dr. Sayyed Tantawi, the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, not participating in the founding ceremony of the Bishop Tadros Church in Hosh Eisa, Beheira. After the effort he made to permit the building of the church, he suddenly apologized for not attending the opening ceremony of the church. In my opinion, the absence is of His Eminence is an unexplained one. Is it to be understood from such behavior that the participation of Muslims, even with consultations, is Haram [religiously forbidden] because it is considered helping to spread a religion other than Islam?...