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ISNAMATTERS Community Engagement
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he best way for filmmakers to represent Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is, according to Dr. Ingrid Mattson’s (president, ISNA; director of Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary) to look at the life of his followers. She made this statement while addressing the decennial conference of the Religion Communication Congress (RCC) 2010 in Chicago (7-10 April). Speaking on how 9/11 continues to affect Muslim Americans, she asked rhetorically: “How do you respond to injustice when you are persecuted because someone hijacked your religion? We had to divert money, human resources, creativity, thoughts, and strategy to keep the Muslim community safe. God has a purpose, and we are only responsible for our own response.” These difficulties, she added, have led so many Muslims to participate in interfaith activities that they have become a part of the community’s life. Another post-9/11 response was a push to define more globally “who is a Muslim.” Since religious authority is decentralized in Islam, in 2005 King Abdullah of Jordan called together a group of scholars, who subsequently is-
Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president, ISNA
sued the Amman Declaration (http://amarcwiki.amarc.org/?The_Amma n_Declaration) to stop intra-Muslim sectarianism. Such developments have helped Muslim Americans find new partners, become more open to change, and learn to use it as the basis for new opportunities, Dr. Mattson opined. The congress is a once-a-decade gathering of communications professionals from all over the world. The 500-plus participants explored “Embracing Change: Communicating Faith in Today’s World.” Diana Eck (developer and director, The Pluralism Project, Harvard University;
professor of comparative religion and Indian studies, Wertham Professor of Law and Psychiatry in Society, Harvard) noted that “pluralism begins with difference. Real religious pluralism means our engagement with one another requires building sturdy relationships” and that “religious faith is a powerful force in people’s lives and choices. We must find new ways to spread the message of hope through new communication venues in our world. … Pluralism is more than differences, more than tolerance. It requires that we know something of others. It is based on relationships.” The congress was also addressed by Nabil Echchaibi (assistant professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Colorado at Boulder) and Abdul Malik Mujahid (founding chairman, Sound Vision Foundation; chairperson, Council for a Parliament of World’s Religions; executive producer, Radio Islam WCEV 1450 AM, Chicago). “Islamic Horizons” was among the winners of the 2010 DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards. These tributes, presented by the RCC, recognized the magazine in its “Best of Class” category (Mar./Apr. 2009 issue) and with an “Award of Excellence” (Mar./Apr. 2009 issue) and a “Certificate of Merit” (Nov./Dec. 2009 issue).
Religious Freedom in the Military
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n 18 May, Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi addressed the forum on Religious Freedom in the Military hosted by the Interfaith Alliance in Washington, DC. This new initiative is envisaged as a first step in to identifying problems, working constructively with military leaders and members of Congress, and proposing solutions that respect religious freedom in the armed forces. “Rapidly increasing diversity among loyal Americans serving courageously in our nation’s military forces is accompanied by a growing number of problems related to assuring religious freedom 8
among those charged with protecting our freedom,” said Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy (president, Interfaith Alliance). Dr. Elsanousi said Muslim servicepeople should follow the chain of command vis-à-vis policies related to religious practices and respect the offered accommodations. He al-
ISLAMIC HORIZONS JULY/AUGUST 2010
(from left) Dr. Kristen Leslie, Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin, Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Maj. David E. Fitzkee, Dr. Martin L. Cook, and Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy _____________________________________
so mentioned that recruiters should not overpromise concerning religious observance, that interfaith training for military chaplains is necessary,
that hate speech about Islam and Muslims under the guise of education should not be allowed, and that normative Islamic practices and extremism should be differentiated. In conclusion, he mentioned that Muslim servicepeople are concerned with their prayers, fasting, halal food, and fulfilling other religious obligations. Other speakers included Dr. Kristen Leslie (associate professor of pastoral care and counseling, Yale Divinity School; consultant, US Air Force Academy), Dr. Martin L. Cook, Adm. James Bond Stockdale (professor of professional military ethics, US Naval War College), Brig. Gen. (US Army, ret.) Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin (former assistant chief of chaplains, US Army), and Maj. David E. Fitzkee (US Army, ret.; associate professor of law, US Air Force Academy). (BOTTOM) PHOTOGRAPH BY RON SACHS