Muslim-Christian Engagement In The Twentieth Century: The Principles Of Inter-faith Dialogue And The Work Of Ismail Al-Faruq Hardcover

Charles Fletcher

Christian-Muslim dialogue grows increasingly important, but little is known about individual Muslim dialogical thinkers. Born in Palestine in 1921, Ismail al-Faruqi was a leading figure in the development of conversation and debate across faiths in North America in the second half of the twentieth century, and was actively engaged in inter-faith study and dialogue. Al-Faruqi founded the Islamic Studies programme at Temple University, Pennsylvania where several distinguished Muslim intellectuals have taught, such as Seyyid Hossein Nasr, Mahmoud Ayoub and Hasan Hanafi. Along with Kenneth Cragg and Wilfred Cantwell Smith, al-Faruqi was an active participant in Muslim-Christian dialogues in the 1970s and the 1980s. Charles Fletcher here presents the first study dedicated to Ismail al-Faruqi's theory and practice of interfaith dialogue. Analysing al-Faruqi's sometimes provocative ideas on the comparative study of religion, dialogue and practical engagement, the author provides an illuminating study of the life and thought of this important scholar. Tracing the development of al-Faruqi's ideas and practice of inter-faith dialogue, Fletcher shows how Muslim intellectuals engaged in such attempts viewed their role as representatives of the worldwide Muslim community. With perceptive insights into the history of contemporary Muslim-Christian dialogue, this book will be invaluable for all those interested in inter-faith relations, comparative religious studies, North American Muslims and Islamic studies.

1848855095

9781848855090

English

I.B.Tauris and Co. Ltd.

12/12/2014

384

Charles D. Fletcher has a PhD in Islamic studies from McGill University. He specializes in Islamic thought, comparative religion and inter-faith relations.

This book is a first class piece of scholarship on a major Muslim pioneer in Islamic studies in the West and in interfaith dialogue. Charles Fletcher's book will in fact be the first major single-authored critical scholarly study on Ismail al-Faruqi's role and contribution to interfaith dialogue... a timely publication due to growing interest in al- Faruqi's contributions to scholarship. John L. Esposito, Georgetown University, USA "This is an original work on Ismail al-Faruqi's systematic theology of dialogue. A work of excellent critical quality, it is a first of its kind on al-Faruqi's pioneering engagement and contribution to interfaith dialogue. This book will draw attention of both the general public and specialists interested in Muslim dialogical activity in modern time." Asst. Prof. Dr Imtiyaz Yusuf, Mahidol University, Thailand