Perspectives on Engaging Islam

By IGE on 16 February 2007

At a time when, according the New York Times, many senior U.S. leaders still have trouble distinguishing between Sunni and Shi’a, the ability to understand and engage Islam is a key issue.

From Pakistan to Central Asia to the Middle East, IGE is dialoguing with Muslims throughout the world. What have we learned?

Below is a collection of articles and trip reports on this timely subject.

June 2007: Islam vs. Islamists: Who Defines the Difference?

"The race is on to define the 'real face' of Islam," writes IGE's Stacey Pistritto in her review of the controversial film Islam vs. Islamists, which claims to speak for moderate Muslims.

June 2007: Trip Report: Engaging Conservative Islam

Reporting on his recent trip to Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, Chris Seiple notes: "There is only one civilization, a global civilization defined by our common humanity, created by a global God."

May 2007: A Christian View of Peacemaking (speech from the International Conference on Religion & Peace in Peshawar, Pakistan)

IGE co-sponsored the first-ever international conference on religion and peace in Peshawar, Pakistan. IGE's Joshua White spoke on Christianity and peacemaking, noting that "the call to plant peace is shared by all of us." Read the English translation of his speech (originally delivered in Urdu).

February 2007: Memo to the State: Religion and Security

In an article in the upcoming Spring 2007 Review of Faith & International Affairs, Chris Seiple warns that "if a government does not understand how easy it is to turn religion into an enemy of the state, then it might do just that."

October 2006: Ramadan and Reason

Following participation in an Iftar meal hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations, Chris Seiple reflects on Christian and Muslim approaches to fasting and their implications for interfaith relations and foreign policy.

March 2006: Engaging Islam (2)

America's relationship with the Muslim world has hit rock bottom; Chris Seiple explores what can be done.

February 2006: Time to Talk Religion & Politics: Speech to U.S.-Islamic World Forum

In this speech at the 2006 U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar, Chris Seiple explains that Americans must learn to talk about the two things they were taught should never be discussed - religion and politics - if they are to improve their relations with the Muslim world.

May 2005: Engaging Islam (1)

Chris Seiple reflects on the 2005 U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar, noting that developing better relations with the Muslim world "will be messy, requiring truth-telling, patient listening and mercy. Only then will the sons and daughters of Abraham move forward together."

November 2004: Religion & Realpolitik: Recommendations for the President

On the day of the 2004 presidential election, Chris Seiple notes that Americans must learn to talk about religion and politics: "Religion is politics in most of the world. Ignoring this fact will only hamper our ability to deal comprehensively with extremely complex issues. But talk we must, and then act. Early in his term — as part of the first-100-days agenda — the next president should take the lead in this kind of conversation about religion and realpolitik, and implement the changes we urgently need."

February 2004: Interrogating Islam...and Ourselves

Reflecting on a recent headline about Saudi interrogators, Chris Seiple notes that "as we consider Islam, we should constantly interrogate ourselves: Is our religion a faith or an ideology? If it's a faith, then we should live it, correcting those who would stereotype Islam or Christianity; our shared hopes for a future of tolerance and security depend on it."

Last updated 30 January 2009