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on 05-10-2004 08:26
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By Andrew Wheat croft
Random House
$29.95
427 PP.
Review by Khalil Abdel Alim
The two youngest of the three monotheist faiths have been engaged in religious, social political and economic intercourse for more than fourteen centuries since the formation of the first Islamic community in Medina, Arabia in the 7th century.
In the beginning the contact was relatively free of conflict, which is less reported than the subsequent historical conflicts. Jews, Chrisrians and Muslims lived in peace and cooperation under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad. Understanding of current conditions in the Middle East and other parts of the world where Muslims predominate is not necessarily found in the fourteen hundred year old history of the two faiths juxtaposed one another....
A Muslim bias does not give enough illumination nor does this schoarly Christian bias of Andrew Wheatcroft. It is very heavy handed in its vocabulary. He writes from a clearly Christian perspective with many historical events viewed through a prism of a Biblical perspective. Ironically believers of both faiths have referred to another as “Infidels”-disbelievers,
He begins his narrative with a 16th century naval battle, the Battle of Lapanto, 1571 that depicts an egregious Muslim defeat. This sets the tone of his bias. The conflicts among Jews, Christians and Muslims must be resolved in the now not in the past.
An example of the author’s bias is his report of the second Muslim Caliph Omar ibn Khattabs capture of Jerusalem and his entry into the Church of the nativity in the 7th century after the death of prophet Muhammad. Wheatcroft reports the spiritual dismay of Christians over what they viewed as Muslim discretions of their holy site. When it is known from Muslim history that Umar refused to pray in the church out of fear that his followers would turn it into a Mosque.
Wheatcroft makes the historical stereotypical charge that Muslims spread Islam by the sword. However, he admits that many people conquered by Muslims accepted Islam because it was seen as a rational, simple faith. Actually the early Muslim conquerors did not allow the people to accept Islam. Muslims did not initially think them good enough to be Muslims and the Quran teaches against compulsion in religion.
He clearly shows the hatred of Christians for Muslims in the Crusades and the Christian reconquest of Spain and their more viral hatred of Jews.
Wheatcroft writes a survey of contemporary conflicts between Christians and Muslims but gives little real light on their solutions.
The goal of solving contemporary conflict between the two faiths by rehearsing the history of their conflicts is a mirage. The answers are not in the past. The narratives of both sides are self-serving and conflicting. The only solution is rational discussion, respect and acceptance of each other and their differences. In areas where religion exacerbates political and economic conflict there must be justice, fairness and compromise.
All faiths should look to the wisdom of their scriptures and Prophets.
Last update : 05-10-2004 08:26
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