What can We Learn from Islam: The Struggle for True Religion
by Marcus Braybrooke

Chapter 11: Conclusion

The dangerous international situation makes urgent demands upon both Christians and Muslims.

First, members of each faith need to purge their religion of isolationism, violence and acquiescence in social injustice. This will mean making clear the authentic interpretation of the teaching of the faith, challenging false interpretations, and may mean re-examination of traditional teaching in the current socio-historical context. In this task, the friendly criticism of the other may help members of one faith see how some traditional statements are misunderstood or how past hostilities still clod our relationship today. The outside can help us recognize our blind spots.

Secondly, Christians and Muslims need, together with members of other faiths, to reflect on the values that they share and on the moral basis of a healthy society and a just and peaceful international order. They then should work together for the implementation of these values. Dr S. A. Ali, Chancellor of Hamdard University in New Delhi, has expressed this very movingly, when he wrote,

It is a hopeful sign that leaders of public opinion in other spheres of life are now recognizing the importance of the moral and spiritual dimension of life in society. This year, (2002) for the first time religious leaders were invited to participate in the State of the World Forum.

Thirdly, to make real change possible, people of different faiths need to be far more proactive in challenging the abuses of government, international institutions and the economic system. They should be the voice of the moral conscience of humanity pleading for the poor, the dispossessed and the victims of violence. They should speak together of human rights and respect for the environment. This is beginning to happen, but, paradoxically, the interfaith movement which draws together people of all faiths in the search for justice and peace at the same time often makes its members very critical of the compromises that many faith communities have made with the abuse of power and social injustice.

Fourth, Muslims and Christians require a better understanding and appreciation of each other's religion. The work of scholars in this field needs to be far more widely known. Some of the issues discussed in this book may at first seem rather remote from the current crisis, but I hope they show the wide agreement of both religions on their approach to life. Members of both faiths seek to live in accordance with the will of God. There are some disagreements in their understanding of the divine will and more often, as I have suggested, differences of emphasis. In open conversation, the emphases and insights of both faiths can help us come to a clearer understanding of the truth. We can be a spur to each other in our wish to know and obey God's purposes.