Sociology

Here’s Why Young Men Become “Terrorists” (Hint: It’s Not Islam) And What We Can Do About It

Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

Looking back at the attack carried out by the El Bakraoui brothers in Brussels, Belgium, I cannot help but notice how news media, intellectuals and politicians blame “Islam” or ISIS for this tragic event. Such a conclusion is overly simplistic and lacks a deeper understanding of what drives young men to act out violently. The…… Continue reading Here’s Why Young Men Become “Terrorists” (Hint: It’s Not Islam) And What We Can Do About It

Radio · Work

Voice of Islam Radio Interview on Prophet Muhammad’s Relations With Christians

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Interfaith

10 Great Prophet Muhammad Quotes on Christians

Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

“If a monk or pilgrim seeks protection, in mountain or valley, in a cave or in tilled fields, in the plain, in the desert, or in a church, I am behind them, defending them from every enemy; I, my helpers, all the members of my religion and all my followers, for they [the monks and…… Continue reading 10 Great Prophet Muhammad Quotes on Christians

Radio

Prophet Muhammad’s Relations with Christians – A Radio Interview with The Voice of the Cape (South Africa)

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Last week, I was interviewed by Shafiq Morton of The Voice of the Cape, an interest-defined community broadcaster licensed to serve the cultural interest of the Muslim community in Cape Town, South Africa. The station’s mandate is “to inform and educate the community about Islam, with an inherent focus on religious teachings.” The topic of the interview…… Continue reading Prophet Muhammad’s Relations with Christians – A Radio Interview with The Voice of the Cape (South Africa)

Islamophobia · Quoted

Cited in “We’re Not Taking Islamophobia Seriously”

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

A new Salon article by Qasim Rashid cites a few passages from my recent piece titled “Muslims Aren’t A Race, So I Can’t Be Racist. Right? Wrong.” Rashid wrote the following: Some are quick to argue, “Muslims aren’t a race, so I can’t be racist.” Rice University sociologist Dr. Craig Considine repudiates this simplistic understanding of racism, writing,…… Continue reading Cited in “We’re Not Taking Islamophobia Seriously”

News

Video: Research Paper Mentioned By His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

The following video shows an interfaith peace symposium sharing messages of peace with various communities including an address by His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the fifth Khalifa (Caliph) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. I am honored that His Holiness mentioned my research paper Religious Pluralism and Civic Rights in a “Muslim Nation”: An Analysis of Prophet Muhammad’s…… Continue reading Video: Research Paper Mentioned By His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad

News

Is ISIS a Truly Islamic State? According to Mohammed’s Covenants with Christians, No.

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  By Florence Taylor ISIS is violating the teaching of Mohammed in persecuting Christians, according to a new study on previously untranslated writings of the Prophet. Contrary to the brutal treatment Christians face under ISIS, the Muslim Prophet Mohammed described his ideal Islamic State as a community with religious pluralism and civil rights, where Christians and the…… Continue reading Is ISIS a Truly Islamic State? According to Mohammed’s Covenants with Christians, No.

News

Freedom of Religion, Civic Rights Were Important Components of a ‘Muslim Nation’

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By Amy McCaig Published first on Rice University News and Media Prophet Muhammad believed that freedom of religion and civic rights were important components of a “Muslim nation,” according to a Rice University analysis of the prophet’s covenants with Christians. The researcher argues that the covenants can be used to develop a stronger democratic partnership…… Continue reading Freedom of Religion, Civic Rights Were Important Components of a ‘Muslim Nation’

Film-work

Video: A Christian View of Prophet Muhammad

Dr. Craig Considine27 Comments

This short video/documentary that I made is based on my recent Huffington Post article titled “Why a Christian Can View Muhammad as a Prophet”.

Books

Announcing a Book Deal

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

The day has arrived when I can announce that I will soon be signing a publishing contract for the book Lived Experiences in the Pakistani Diaspora: Case Studies of Young Men in Ireland and the US (preliminary title), with Routledge – Taylor and Francis Group. This book is based off my PhD dissertation at Trinity College…… Continue reading Announcing a Book Deal

Interfaith

Pluralism and the Najran Christians: How Prophet Muhammad Went Beyond Toleration

Dr. Craig Considine33 Comments

Last week I gave a presentation in front of a group of undergraduate and postgraduate students at Rice University in Houston, Texas. The title of my lecture was “Religious Pluralism in Islam: Analyzing Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants with Christians”. The Prezi is available here. As is the case with academic presentations, there was a short question…… Continue reading Pluralism and the Najran Christians: How Prophet Muhammad Went Beyond Toleration

Publications

Article: Religious Pluralism and Civic Rights in a “Muslim Nation”: An Analysis of Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants with Christians

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

I am happy to share my new publication “Religious Pluralism and Civic Rights in a ‘Muslim Nation’: An Analysis of Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants with Christians” in Religions. Abstract: This article examines the roles that religious pluralism and civic rights played in Prophet Muhammad’s vision of a “Muslim nation”. I demonstrate how Muhammad desired a pluralistic…… Continue reading Article: Religious Pluralism and Civic Rights in a “Muslim Nation”: An Analysis of Prophet Muhammad’s Covenants with Christians

Islamophobia

These Tweets Show That Violence Against Muslims And Their Allies Is Real

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

I recently published an opinion piece titled: “Why a Christian Can View Muhammad as a Prophet”. Since its publication, I have received a lot of e-mails, Facebook messages, and Tweets telling me how horrible I am for writing what I did. I am not bothered by personal attacks on my character and conduct, and I am…… Continue reading These Tweets Show That Violence Against Muslims And Their Allies Is Real

Religion

About Those Violent Verses in The Bible

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

“The Religion of Peace.” I’ve heard that phrase in discussions about the essence of Christianity. Islam, on the other hand, is frequently depicted as “the religion of violence.” Watch FOX News and you will know what I mean. Islam equals violence, jihad, terrorism, barbarism, ISIS, and the rest of it. Christianity is rarely, if ever, portrayed…… Continue reading About Those Violent Verses in The Bible

Israel

Media Silence as Chief Rabbi of Israel Calls for Execution of Palestinians

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Chief Rabbi of Safed Shmuel Eliyahu of Israel recently called for the executions of Palestinians on his Facebook page. His argument: kill Palestinians in order to establish safety in Israel. “Israel army has to stop arresting Palestinians… it must execute them and leave no one alive.” Those are Eliyahu’s exact words. He sounds like Hitler,…… Continue reading Media Silence as Chief Rabbi of Israel Calls for Execution of Palestinians

Pluralism in the Prophet’s Covenants: A Christian Perspective on Interreligious Solidarity Against Discrimination
Interfaith

Pluralism in the Prophet’s Covenants: A Christian Perspective on Interreligious Solidarity Against Discrimination

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

Countries in the so-called “Western world” often depict themselves as the true torchbearers of democratic principles and religious freedom. In setting themselves up in the binary of the “Western world” versus “Islamic civilization,” Western leaders suggest that Muslims worldwide are less tolerant and accepting of religious minorities. Such an argument is a gross misrepresentation of Islamic…… Continue reading Pluralism in the Prophet’s Covenants: A Christian Perspective on Interreligious Solidarity Against Discrimination

Work

Why a Christian Can View Muhammad as a Prophet

Dr. Craig Considine30 Comments

As an advocate of interfaith dialogue, particularly between Christians and Muslims, I’m often faced with the issue of conversion. People ask me, “If you admire Prophet Muhammad so much, why don’t you convert to Islam? Why don’t you accept him as “the seal”? I see these questions popping up on my Twitter and Facebook feeds…… Continue reading Why a Christian Can View Muhammad as a Prophet

Israel

Israel Isn’t an “Apartheid State.” It’s Worse Than That.

Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro recently unleashed harsh criticism against Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land, particularly in the West Bank. Speaking at the Institute for National Security Studies conference in Tel Aviv, Shapiro said: Too much Israel vigilantism in the West Bank goes unchecked… there is a lack of thorough investigations… at time it seems…… Continue reading Israel Isn’t an “Apartheid State.” It’s Worse Than That.

Politics · Religion

Reclaiming “In The Name Of Islam” – Muslim American Contributions To Charity And Healthcare

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

“In the name of Islam.” These words were uttered by Edward Archer, a man in Philadelphia who shot a police officer three times. Thankfully, the police officer survived, but a few more things have been lost in the coverage of this unfortunate event. There are over 1 billion Muslims worldwide. The overwhelming majority of these people are peace-loving.…… Continue reading Reclaiming “In The Name Of Islam” – Muslim American Contributions To Charity And Healthcare

Islamic State

Public Execution of Mother Reminds Us Why the Qur’an/Prophet Muhammad Condemn ISIS

Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

An ISIS/Daesh member (Ali Saqr al-Qasem) publicly executed his own mother in Raqqa, Syria after accusing her of “apostasy.” He did so with a bullet to her head, which gets me wondering: What does the Qur’an say about mothers? And how would Prophet Muhammad react to this execution? One of the more convincing things about Islam is the high…… Continue reading Public Execution of Mother Reminds Us Why the Qur’an/Prophet Muhammad Condemn ISIS

Religion · Work

Under the Government of Prophet Muhammad

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

Published in Islam Today (magazine) – Online version – Magazine print version It is no secret that Christians are being persecuted in the ‘Muslim world’. According to the World Watch List for 2015, nine out of the top ten countries where Christians suffer ‘extreme persecution’ have populations that are at least 50% Muslim. Much of…… Continue reading Under the Government of Prophet Muhammad

Politics

Jewish Extremists Torch One of Christendom’s Most Important Churches

Dr. Craig Considine11 Comments

Here’s another important story getting hardly – if any attention – in media. On an erly Thursday morning in June 2015, “Jewish extremists” torched the Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha, near the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The arsonists wrote graffiti in Hebrew on that walls that read, “Pagans” and “False idols will be…… Continue reading Jewish Extremists Torch One of Christendom’s Most Important Churches

Politics

“Radiation Device to Kill Muslim Americans” – The KKK Terrorism Case Nobody Is Talking About

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

No big deal. That (pictured above) is just an x-ray device that shoots out deadly levels of radiation. Ever seen it before? It was the brainchild of an Islamophobic, Ku Klux Klan-linked man named Eric Feight. He wanted to use it to kill Muslim Americans in upstate New York. Have you ever heard of this story?…… Continue reading “Radiation Device to Kill Muslim Americans” – The KKK Terrorism Case Nobody Is Talking About

Interfaith

The Irony of Spray Painting “Jesus” on Mosques

Dr. Craig Considine18 Comments

Racist Islamophobes (yes, Islamophobia is racism) are active in California. Here’s the latest incident according to CNN: One mosque had “Jesus is the Way” spray-painted across the front. Another mosque was defaced and left with a fake grenade in the driveway. Both acts of vandalism took place in the same California city, about an hour west…… Continue reading The Irony of Spray Painting “Jesus” on Mosques

Personal

How Peanuts Helped Shape My Views of Muslim Americans

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

It’s time for an uplifting story. In 2008 I was part of a group that was doing fieldwork in Muslim communities around Los Angeles. One evening we were at the home of a Pakistani Muslim man. His name, I believe, is Malik. There were a lot of people at this event. At one point in the…… Continue reading How Peanuts Helped Shape My Views of Muslim Americans

Interfaith

What Trump and His Supporters Can Learn From Muslim Leaders

Dr. Craig Considine5 Comments

Support for Donald Trump is surging across the United States. This is particularly troubling because in recent weeks, he has called for banning Muslim immigration, shutting down mosques, spying on Muslims, making Muslims carry ID badges, and a few other blatantly Islamophobic things. It’s like Hitler, American-style. Clearly, Trump and his supporters (maybe not all of…… Continue reading What Trump and His Supporters Can Learn From Muslim Leaders

Politics

It’s Time For A Million Man March in Solidarity With Muslims

Dr. Craig Considine9 Comments

My fellow Americans, With Islamophobia rising in the U.S. and with Donald Trump promoting Hitler-esque policies towards Muslims, we must make a strong stand. The time is ripe for Americans of all backgrounds to join in solidarity with their Muslim neighbors. It’s time for a million man march in Washington, DC. Over the last few weeks, I have watched this country spiral out…… Continue reading It’s Time For A Million Man March in Solidarity With Muslims

Politics

Trump, America’s Hitler

Dr. Craig Considine13 Comments

3:45 am. That’s what time I woke up this morning. I couldn’t sleep. There were no loud neighbors, no noisy traffic outside, and no drama in my life to keep me awake. As lame as it might sound, Donald Trump was keeping me awake. That’s right, the American demagogue, America’s Hitler. “Come on, Craig!” is probably…… Continue reading Trump, America’s Hitler

Politics

Tashfeen Malik Vs. Robert Dear – Both Kill in God’s Name, But Only One is a “Terrorist”

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

So, “news” comes out that Tashfeen Malik, an attacker from San Bernardino, pledged allegiance to ISIS and its so-called “caliph.” This is now “breaking news.” CNN flashes “terrorism” right across its homepage. Go figure. And yet just one week or so ago, Robert Dear, the Planned Parenthood attacker, killed in the name of Christianity. Dear…… Continue reading Tashfeen Malik Vs. Robert Dear – Both Kill in God’s Name, But Only One is a “Terrorist”

Personal

Walking While “White” Versus “Muslim” After San Bernadino

Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

In about an hour or so I’ll be rolling out of my apartment building. I’ll walk for 45 minutes until I reach my office on campus. It will be a lovely walk. Crisp, calm, beautiful. I’ll pass by strangers and give the casual smile and hello. Just another working white dude in Houston… I find it…… Continue reading Walking While “White” Versus “Muslim” After San Bernadino

Outreach · Politics

Video: Here’s Why #IStandWithAhmadis

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Transcript: This world of ours is filled with horrible, horrible things, and sometimes these things manifest themselves through religion. Now, unless you’re hiding in some underground bunker, you’ll know that religious extremism and radicalism – combined with political initiatives – can do some pretty horrible things in this world. Now, there are people in this…… Continue reading Video: Here’s Why #IStandWithAhmadis

Politics

Why White Men Are “Gunmen” and Muslim Men Are “Terrorists”

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

“Racial grammar.” It’s not a word you hear every day in the U.S.A. That’s a shame because racial grammar explains a lot about race relations in America, especially in light of the Muslim versus non-Muslim binary. Muslims aren’t a race, it’s true, but that doesn’t mean that Muslims don’t face racism (See: “Muslims Aren’t A Race, So I…… Continue reading Why White Men Are “Gunmen” and Muslim Men Are “Terrorists”

Politics

Trump and ISIS Like To Use Torture. Washington and Muhammad Did Not.

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

Donald Trump recently told the world that he would absolutely use torture if he were the next President of the U.S. Actually, he stated that he would “approve more than that.” Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Donald Trump, the “going beyond torture” candidate for President. Whenever I think about torture, I turn to the late author Christopher Hitchens. Hitchens…… Continue reading Trump and ISIS Like To Use Torture. Washington and Muhammad Did Not.

Politics

Muslims Aren’t A Race, So I Can’t Be Racist. Right? Wrong.

Dr. Craig Considine11 Comments

“Nonsense.” That is what people say when I accuse them of being racist. Their argument goes something like this: “Muslims are not even a race, so how the hell could I even be racist? You’re an idiot.” Because Muslims are not a race, people believe that any type of violence or oppression directed towards them…… Continue reading Muslims Aren’t A Race, So I Can’t Be Racist. Right? Wrong.

Politics

The Paris Attack and My Racist Facebook “Friends”

Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

“35 people dead in Paris. They don’t know what it is yet. Not sure if there were bombs.” That was the text message I received on Friday during my walk home from Rice University. Here we go again, I thought… My first reaction: the media will instantly assume Muslims carried out the attack, regardless of…… Continue reading The Paris Attack and My Racist Facebook “Friends”

Politics

America as a “Christian Nation” Doesn’t Ring Historically True

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

“America is a Christian nation” is one of the Christian right’s favorite slogans. Consider Ben Carson, a radical Christian and frontrunner for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. He believes that the United State’s founding documents prove that the American nation was founded upon Christian principles. What is worrying is that Carson is not alone in his beliefs. Televangelists,…… Continue reading America as a “Christian Nation” Doesn’t Ring Historically True

Islamic State · Politics

The Deafening Silence on the Genocide of Christians in the Middle East

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

                    A few weeks ago, I posted about the Genocide Initiative, a new interfaith movement calling on world leaders to classify ISIS’s actions in the Middle East as “genocide.” The Genocide Initiative has launched a petition on change.org that calls on political powers to unite and proclaim the…… Continue reading The Deafening Silence on the Genocide of Christians in the Middle East

History · Islamic State · Politics

Why Celebrating Columbus Day is Like Celebrating ISIS Day

Dr. Craig Considine5 Comments

My elementary school teachers brainwashed me. I am sure they would never admit to it, but it is true. I was taught that Christopher Columbus, the Catholic Italian explorer, discovered a “New World.” I – like millions of other naive American children – was told that he was a brave and curious hero who brought…… Continue reading Why Celebrating Columbus Day is Like Celebrating ISIS Day

Politics

The Difference Between “Anti-Islam” Patriots and Real Patriots

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Muslims in America are bracing for a wave of anti-Islam mobs outside of their mosques on October 9 and 10. American bigots of various social backgrounds plan to utilize their Second Amendment right and arm themselves with deadly weapons in places where Muslims pray across the U.S.. This provocation, called “Global Rally For Humanity,” is a blatant act of intimidation…… Continue reading The Difference Between “Anti-Islam” Patriots and Real Patriots

Outreach

New Petition Proclaims ISIS Is Guilty of Genocide

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

ISIS is winning. I say that with the utmost regret, but it is true. Bullets have not stopped it, nor have bombs or ground troops. States around the world have denounced ISIS’s radicalism from afar, but words are meaningless without any action. At a time when ISIS enslaves people, a new movement is determined to…… Continue reading New Petition Proclaims ISIS Is Guilty of Genocide

Politics

Why Forgiving the Boston Bomber is the Right Thing to Do

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

In Massachusetts federal court yesterday, Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokar Tsarnaev apologized to the victims and families that have been impacted by the bombs he set off. Tsarnaev, who is waiting his death sentence, stated: “I am sorry for the lives that I’ve taken, for the suffering that I’ve caused you, for the damage that I’ve done.…… Continue reading Why Forgiving the Boston Bomber is the Right Thing to Do

Interfaith

A Conversation on Humanity Between Jesus and Muhammad

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Jesus: Peace be with you, Muhammad. Muhammad: And may the peace and blessings of our Lord also be with you, my brother. Jesus: Say, my friend, how do you feel about people who claim to follow our teachings, but who fight and bicker with each other over religion? Muhammad: Well, Jesus, it’s unfortunate. Your followers…… Continue reading A Conversation on Humanity Between Jesus and Muhammad

Interfaith

The Christians of Najran and the Spirit of Ramadan

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

A young Protestant man in college recently sent me an e-mail with some questions about Christian-Muslim relations. He told me that he was interested in witnessing Muslims in worship, and more specifically he wanted to take part in an iftar, or the breaking of the fast during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The young…… Continue reading The Christians of Najran and the Spirit of Ramadan

Interfaith

Prophet Muhammad Wouldn’t Think I’m a “Loser” Because of My Christian Faith

Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

Recently I had an eyebrow-raising Twitter interaction with a young Muslim man who was upset that I have not converted to Islam. Frustrated with my Christian identity, he tweeted me the following Qur’anic passage: “And whosever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one…… Continue reading Prophet Muhammad Wouldn’t Think I’m a “Loser” Because of My Christian Faith

Personal

From Catholicism to Atheism to Islam and Back to Catholicism

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

Published on Huffington Post Religion (06/16/15) It was the late 1990s and the American economy was booming. Money and consumerism were the “new religion.” Christians around me seemed to be Christians in name only. Besides having a secular education, I attended Catholic Christian Doctrine once per week from the ages of six to fourteen. I…… Continue reading From Catholicism to Atheism to Islam and Back to Catholicism

Friends

Qasim Rashid’s New Book “Talk To Me: The 5 Conversations We Need To Have But Aren’t”

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

I am excited to share the news of author Qasim Rashid’s forthcoming book Talk To Me: The 5 Conversations We Need To Have But Aren’t, available in November 2015 in time for the holiday season. Rashid describes Talk To Me on his Facebook page as “a new kind of book with a new exciting approach to story telling.” The…… Continue reading Qasim Rashid’s New Book “Talk To Me: The 5 Conversations We Need To Have But Aren’t”

Interfaith

A True Blueprint for an Islamic State

Dr. Craig ConsidineImage2 Comments
Interfaith

Book Review: Christians and Muslims Should Embrace “The Jihad of Jesus”

Dr. Craig Considine7 Comments

I turned on the television the other day to hear a Christian American say: “Our enemy is Islam and our enemies are Muslims!” Disturbed by his tone, I shifted to my computer, where I opened the Internet only to see an equally alarming message from a British Muslim: “Islam must crush Christianity, the false religion!”…… Continue reading Book Review: Christians and Muslims Should Embrace “The Jihad of Jesus”

Religion

How the Prophet Would Respond to “Draw Muhammad” Defamation and “Anti-Islam” Protests

Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

“Armed anti-Islamist protest outside mosque.” This is the headline that I am reading as I rise out of bed. I also see another headline: “Marine hosts ‘Draw Muhammad’ protest outside mosque.” Aside from these protests and events being offensive and downright degrading towards Muslims, they are also highly ironic. If he were with us today,…… Continue reading How the Prophet Would Respond to “Draw Muhammad” Defamation and “Anti-Islam” Protests

Personal

The Price I Pay For Respecting Islam

Dr. Craig Considine11 Comments

Published on Huffington Post Religion (05/08/15) Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think I would become a scholar focusing on Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. Growing up, my passion was playing basketball and following the Boston Celtics. I never had any Muslim friends. In fact, I did not even know a single follower of…… Continue reading The Price I Pay For Respecting Islam