Outreach

A Catholic American Praises Prophet Muhammad at an Islamic Centre in Dublin, Ireland

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

*Note: This is the text of a speech I gave during the 4th Annual Peace Walk and Peace Conference at the Al-Mustafa Islamic Centre Ireland in Blanchardstown, Dublin on 26 January 2014. A special thanks to my friend Dr-Muhammad Umar Al-Qadri for inviting me and organizing this beautiful event. A report from Al-Mustafa can be found at Report…… Continue reading A Catholic American Praises Prophet Muhammad at an Islamic Centre in Dublin, Ireland

Religion

Islamic and American Constitutions Give Hope For Religious Freedom

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

A recent report from the Pew Research Center, a reputable American think tank, revealed some damning findings on the state of religious freedom around the world. According to the report, religious hostilities increased in 2012 in every major region of the world, with Muslims and Christians being oppressed in the largest number of countries. Pakistan,…… Continue reading Islamic and American Constitutions Give Hope For Religious Freedom

Religion

Pope Francis: Christians Must Build Bridges of Dialogue

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

During Mass today in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis reflected on an Old Testament reading from Samuel (1:24). In the passage, David had the chance to kill King Saul, but he chooses, as the Holy Father noted, “a different path: the path of dialogue, to make peace.” Francis’ message encourages Christians to build bridges of dialogue,…… Continue reading Pope Francis: Christians Must Build Bridges of Dialogue

Interfaith · Politics

The Pope: Christian and Muslim Refugees Must Share Their Belief in God

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Just days after I wrote about Pope Francis’ speech on ending the “culture of indifference” towards Muslim refugees, the Holy Father emerged today with an equally powerful comment on how Christians and Muslims should lean on each other and share their belief in the “One God.” Vatican Insider reports that during a gathering at the…… Continue reading The Pope: Christian and Muslim Refugees Must Share Their Belief in God

Quoted

10 Inspiring Quotes to Commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

As a little boy attending elementary school in Needham, Massachusetts, I always borrowed two books from the Mitchell School library. One of those books gave a history of the Boston Celtics, my favorite basketball team, and the other book was a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, the Civil Rights leaders of the 1950s…… Continue reading 10 Inspiring Quotes to Commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Politics · Religion

Pope Francis: End the Culture of Indifference Towards Muslims

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

Vatican Radio reported today on Pope Francis’s appeal for migrants and refugees and an end to “the culture of indifference.” Although he did not explicitly mention them in his address at Saint Peter’s Square, one can be certain that the Holy Father was speaking to Muslims. The Pope stated that migrants and refugees around the world,…… Continue reading Pope Francis: End the Culture of Indifference Towards Muslims

Interfaith

What Studying Muhammad Taught Me About Islam

Dr. Craig Considine7 Comments

Published on Huffington Post Religion Muslims worldwide have recently joined together to celebrate Mawlid al-Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. This day is an opportunity for Muslims and non-Muslims, such as myself – a Catholic – to reflect upon the life and legacy of the prophet of Islam. In this short essay, I want…… Continue reading What Studying Muhammad Taught Me About Islam

Interfaith

The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World by Dr. John Andrew Morrow claims that although there are theological differences between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, Muslims are nonetheless advised by Muhammad to respect and embrace Christians and Jews. The covenants of the Prophet of Allah, as Morrow notes, paint a clear picture…… Continue reading The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad

Commentary · Interfaith

A Refutation of Robert Spencer’s Post on Professor Akbar Ahmed

Dr. Craig Considine22 Comments

Published on Loon Watch Robert Spencer, the administrator of the blog JihadWatch, is known for painting all Muslims as extremists. In a recent post titled “Akbar Ahmed, advocate of ‘dialogue,’ claims ‘Islamophobes’ are ‘linking Islam to violence, terrorism and intolerance,” Spencer argues that Professor Ahmed, the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University…… Continue reading A Refutation of Robert Spencer’s Post on Professor Akbar Ahmed

Interfaith

On Christmas, Christians and Muslims can unite under religious similarities

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Source: USA Today By Ibrahim Hooper “Behold! The angels said: ‘O Mary! God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name will be Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and in (the company of) those nearest to God.'” Before searching for this quote…… Continue reading On Christmas, Christians and Muslims can unite under religious similarities

Interfaith · Religion

New Book Sheds Light on Prophet Muhammad’s Interfaith Views

Dr. Craig Considine24 Comments

No other leader in world history has been more scrutinized and ridiculed than Prophet Muhammad. Since the founding of Islam in 632 AD, Christians and Jews have described the Prophet of Allah as a blasphemer, bigot, terrorist, and pedophile, among other slurs. However, according to a new book The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the…… Continue reading New Book Sheds Light on Prophet Muhammad’s Interfaith Views

Music

Video: When Nelson Mandela danced to an Irish tune in Galway

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

In 2003, Nelson Mandela visited Ireland when we hosted the Special Olympics. As part of his visit, he travelled to NUI Galway to receive an honorary degree. The Corrs played at an event after the ceremony. Nelson Mandela was, quite literally, first on the dancefloor. He rolled out his trademark dance – known as the…… Continue reading Video: When Nelson Mandela danced to an Irish tune in Galway

Commentary

Nelson Mandela and the Power of Forgiveness

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

Nelson Mandela, the South African liberator of hearts and minds, has passed away to his Creator. What inspires me most about his life is his capacity to forgive: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your…… Continue reading Nelson Mandela and the Power of Forgiveness

Politics · Travels

Turning Hagia Sophia into a mosque, a church, or both?

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

News of the beautiful and awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia, or “Holy Wisdom,” turning into an active mosque is a tricky situation for political and cultural reasons, as Religion News Services reports (via Huffington Post). Christians and other minorities may see the Hagia Sophia’s conversion into a mosque as a challenge to Turkey’s secular-republican origin, whereas Muslims…… Continue reading Turning Hagia Sophia into a mosque, a church, or both?

Fieldwork · Outreach

Debunking the myth that Irish Muslims do not integrate

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A letter recently mailed to mosques throughout Ireland has raised alarm for its racist tone and incitement of violence against Irish Muslims. The letter suggested that Irish people were willing to kill Muslims in order to prevent the “Islamization” of Ireland. The letter also suggested that Irish Muslims have not – and are not interested in -…… Continue reading Debunking the myth that Irish Muslims do not integrate

Religion

Pope Francis challenges students to “live, not just exist”

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Here are a few messages which Pope Francis relayed to students from Rome’s universities: “You must live, not just exist… Please don’t look at life from the sidelines, accept challenges… You must not be spectators but protagonists… Don’t be mediocre, bored or like everyone else… You can’t live without facing challenges… Don’t stand on the…… Continue reading Pope Francis challenges students to “live, not just exist”

Politics

Backlash follows Catholic Online’s misleading headline on “closure” of Vatican Embassy

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Catholic Online, a leading news source for Catholics in the US and abroad, recently created the headline “Obama orders closure of Vatican Embassy.” This headline is misleading, overtly political, and even dangerous as it helps reproduce the myths that President Obama is anti-Catholic and that he is also a Muslim. Catholic Online forgot this quintessential point…… Continue reading Backlash follows Catholic Online’s misleading headline on “closure” of Vatican Embassy

Film-work · Religion

Video: What Islam Can Teach Far-Right Europeans About Human Rights and Tolerance

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Follow Craig Considine on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ToBeCraig

Outreach

Speech to Trinity College Dublin’s Sociology Society

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Trinity College Dublin’s (TCD) Sociology Society (SocSoc) has invited me to speak tonight at 7pm in the Graduate Students Union Room on TCD’s campus. The speech will include a discussion on three topics: 1) my research into Islam; 2) my articles for the Huffington Post; and 3) my experience with Journey into America. The key…… Continue reading Speech to Trinity College Dublin’s Sociology Society

Religion

What Europe’s Far-Right Parties Can Learn From Islam

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

By Craig Considine Today’s far-right parties in Europe, such as the National Front in France and the Party for Freedom in Holland, are surging in popularity and calling for legal bans on veils, mosques, minarets, sha’ria, and even the outright expulsion of Muslims from the continent. In short, the far-right perceives Muslims as “inassimilable” and…… Continue reading What Europe’s Far-Right Parties Can Learn From Islam

Politics

A Radical Christian in U.S. Congress

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert (Texas) recently suggested that the U.S. should judge its foreign policy decisions based on a literalist interpretation of prophecies and stories in the Bible. Scriptural literalism in any religious tradition blatantly denies cold-hard facts such as evolution and encourages naive absolutism in the face of scientific inquiry, among other issues. Interpreting the…… Continue reading A Radical Christian in U.S. Congress

Fieldwork

Racist Attacks Against Pakistanis in Dublin Must Stop

Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

Racial harassment, discrimination, and violence against Pakistanis in Dublin has spiraled out of control. Last week, Al-Minnah Foods, a halal food store in Cookstown Industrial Estate, was ransacked at night. Images of the ransacking, which were posted on Facebook, show graffiti, including the words ‘Pakis out’ and ‘Niggrs out’, on white walls in the store.…… Continue reading Racist Attacks Against Pakistanis in Dublin Must Stop

Politics

Far-Right “Historic Alliance” to Liberate a Europe “Too Tolerant” of Islam

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Far-right Eurosceptic politicians Marie Le Pen (French National Front (FNF) and Geert Wilders (Party for Freedom (PVV) – Holland) met yesterday in The Hague to launch what they have described as a “historic alliance” in Europe. Le Pen and Wilders’s alliance encourages ethno-nationalism, anti-immigration policies, anti-Islam fervor, and rejection of European integration. The FNF and…… Continue reading Far-Right “Historic Alliance” to Liberate a Europe “Too Tolerant” of Islam

Fieldwork

“P*kis out”/”N***rs out” Scrawled on Walls of Halal Store in Dublin

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

Source: TheJournal.ie According to investigators, intruders made their way into the Tallaght property between closing time on 2 November and opening on 3 November. An unknown quantity of items were taken, the place was ransacked and property damaged, a garda spokesperson told TheJournal.ie. Director of the Al-Minnah Foods outlet, Mohammed Djellal, says food, fridges and fittings…… Continue reading “P*kis out”/”N***rs out” Scrawled on Walls of Halal Store in Dublin

News

Poster for presentation at Trinity College Dublin’s inaugural Graduate Global Forum

Dr. Craig ConsidineImage1 Comment
Religion

US Catholics Question America’s Assent to Militarism

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Long overdue in the American church is a reasoned and deep discussion of U.S. militarism, the proper use of force, the state’s responsibility to protect and defend, and the role of people of faith in all of this. To this point, Catholic teaching has had little effect in distinguishing us from any other segment of…… Continue reading US Catholics Question America’s Assent to Militarism

Interfaith · Quoted · Religion

The audacity of Pope

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Source: Huffington Post/Foreign Policy in Focus By John Feffer Pope Benedict caused a stir in 2006 when he quoted a Byzantine emperor’s unflattering description of Mohammed’s legacy as “evil and inhuman.” He subsequently apologized, but his views of Islam remained rather medieval. Pope Francis, by contrast, has immediately sought to repair ties with the world…… Continue reading The audacity of Pope

Religion

Young Palestinians restore Basilica of Gethsemane in Jerusalem

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

The Basilica of Gethsemane, also known as the Church of All Nations, has been restored back to its original splendor by a group of young Palestinians, five of which are Muslim. The Custody of the Holy Land, the Franciscan group responsible for the restoration, could have given the project to foreign experts but they chose Palestinians…… Continue reading Young Palestinians restore Basilica of Gethsemane in Jerusalem

Interfaith · Religion

Guiding Jewish/Muslim Relations Through the Life of Maimonides, the 12th Century Jewish Scholar

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Maimonides did not think it was healthy for the soul to have “unbounded desires” which “is never stated with pursuing passions.” Referencing Jewish Holy Scripture (Koheles 5:9) he argued in The Guide that a person who has a covetous soul “will not be sated with all the wealth of the world.” Maimonides’ thought mirrors Rumi,…… Continue reading Guiding Jewish/Muslim Relations Through the Life of Maimonides, the 12th Century Jewish Scholar

Sociology

“Terrorist” as a Racist Term

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Source: Electronic Intifada By Ali Abunimah Despite the government having fairly clear definitions of what constitutes an act of “terrorism,” the terms “terrorist” or “terrorism” are used not to describe actions but to label people. It is clear these are racialized terms, applied in a discriminatory way to people perceived as Muslim, Arab or nonwhite.…… Continue reading “Terrorist” as a Racist Term

Interfaith · Religion

Debating “Islam is a threat to the West”

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

As a proud Catholic American from Boston, Massachusetts, I recently participated in a debate hosted by the University College Dublin Law Society, one of the largest and most prestigious student societies in Europe. The proposition of the debate was “This House Believes That Islam is a Threat to the West.” Arguing against this proposition, I…… Continue reading Debating “Islam is a threat to the West”

Religion

Overcoming Historical Amnesia: Muslim Contributions to Civilization

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Published on Huffington Post (October 22nd, 2013) In his recent article, Sam Harris, a popular critic of Islam, referred to Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist, as “the best thing to come out of the Muslim world in 1,000 years.” Hidden in this comment is the idea that Malala’s fellow Muslims are backward and that her…… Continue reading Overcoming Historical Amnesia: Muslim Contributions to Civilization

Religion

Greed and Attachment to Money Cause Evil, Pope Francis Says

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Source: Catholic News Service By Carol Glatz Money by itself isn’t a problem, but greed and an attachment to money cause evil and destroy families and relationships, Pope Francis said. “Money is needed to bring about many good things,” he said in his morning Mass homily Oct. 21, “but when your heart is attached (to…… Continue reading Greed and Attachment to Money Cause Evil, Pope Francis Says

Religion

Top sociologist Zygmunt Bauman believes Pope Francis gives “entire humanity a chance”

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Source: Vatican Insider “I am in awe at everything Francis is doing: I believe his pontificate gives not just the Catholic Church but the entire humanity a chance.” This is according to Polish-born sociologist Zygmunt Bauman, who coined the phrase “liquid modernity”. In an interview with Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Bauman said “Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s…… Continue reading Top sociologist Zygmunt Bauman believes Pope Francis gives “entire humanity a chance”

Sociology

Daphne High School, Alabama: The problem with equating Arabic and Islam

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

One story coming out of a school near Mobile, Alabama has caught my attention over the issue of equating the Arabic language with Islam and evilness. Parents of students were recently interviewed to reflect upon a new Arabic language program at Daphne High School. This response from one parent is particularly troubling: “When you teach…… Continue reading Daphne High School, Alabama: The problem with equating Arabic and Islam

Outreach

Pope Francis: Lampedusa is Center of ‘Globalization of Indifference’

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Source: Washington Post By Akbar Ahmed To understand the pope’s approach, method and message, take a look at his visit to the island of Lampedusa. The small island in the Mediterranean has become a battleground of the larger ideas that are in conflict in Europe. It has been visited by rightwing leaders who denounce immigrants…… Continue reading Pope Francis: Lampedusa is Center of ‘Globalization of Indifference’

Interfaith · Outreach · Religion

Salam and Salutation to Pope Francis

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

But Pope Francis was not taking a path outside his faith tradition. On the contrary he was reverting to its foundational principles. He is inspired by two figures above all – Jesus and Saint Francis; indeed taking the name of the latter after being elected pope. He has learned from them that Christianity in its…… Continue reading Salam and Salutation to Pope Francis

Religion

New Scholarship Sheds Light on Islam and the American Founding Fathers

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

I am very happy to see an interesting new book written by Denise Spellberg, associate professor of history and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Spellberg’s book, titled Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an: Islam and the Founders and touched upon in this Daily Beast article, seeks to understand the role of Islam in the early…… Continue reading New Scholarship Sheds Light on Islam and the American Founding Fathers

Poems

Poem: Top of Killiney Hill

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Religion

A Note to the Muslims Who Attacked Christians in Peshawar, Pakistan

Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

It is with disgust that I am writing this note on the Muslims who recently attacked two churches in Peshawar, where over 70 Christians were murdered. I want to bring to attention several fundamental points in Islam that completely and utterly denounce hatred or acts of violence on Christians. I have written about this very…… Continue reading A Note to the Muslims Who Attacked Christians in Peshawar, Pakistan

Quoted · Religion

Comments by Pope Francis Emphasize Bridge Building with Muslims

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Here is a collection of quotes from Pope Francis directed towards Muslims. This post will be updated as Pope Francis continues to speak about dialogue, common ground, and mutual respect between Christians and Muslims worldwide. On dialogue “Turning to mutual respect in interreligious relations, especially between Christians and Muslims, we are called to respect the…… Continue reading Comments by Pope Francis Emphasize Bridge Building with Muslims

Politics

Americans Should Reflect More Tolerance in Light of Miss America Crown

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

This morning I woke up to an e-mail from my father which noted how an Indian American had just won Miss America 2013. In addition, on my Facebook feed I clicked on a story that read “Miss American crowns 1st winner of Indian descent; racist tweets follow.” Clearly many Americans were disturbed and even angry…… Continue reading Americans Should Reflect More Tolerance in Light of Miss America Crown

Religion

Opening up Islamic spaces

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Excerpt from Mustafa Akyol’s article The Vatican, Christianity and Islam in Hurriyet Daily News (14/9/2013) In today’s super-dynamic and super-creative world, behind which we are already lagging, there is a risk for us, Muslims, if we go toward the other direction: The strict boundaries that supposedly protect our faith could turn into an obstacle to…… Continue reading Opening up Islamic spaces

Sociology

Stereotypes

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

”Modern life is hurried and multifarious…there is neither time nor opportunity for intimate acquaintance. Instead we notice a trait which marks a well known type, and fill in the rest of the picture by means of the stereotypes we carry about in our heads…the subtlest and most pervasive of all influences are those which create…… Continue reading Stereotypes

Politics

How Would America’s Founding Fathers React to Syria?

Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

In all likelihood, President Barack Obama will soon bomb Syria in the hope of dealing a blow to Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s regime. This dangerous act of war is a betrayal of the foreign policy vision of America’s founding fathers and will only serve to further weaken the US’s floundering moral credibility around the…… Continue reading How Would America’s Founding Fathers React to Syria?

Film-work

Video: War is stupid

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

I have read the news over the last few days with frustration and a bit of angst. The situation in Syria is spiraling out of control and threatens to become a wider war, perhaps even a world war. Over the course of these events, I have contemplated writing an article about my thoughts, but I…… Continue reading Video: War is stupid

Quoted

Why is War Stupid?

Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

“Of all the enemies to public liberty, war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it compromises and develops the germ of every other. As the parent of armies, war encourages debts and taxes, the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of…… Continue reading Why is War Stupid?

Politics

U.S. Depleted Uranium as Malicious as Syrian Chemical Weapons

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

By this time you have likely heard of the atrocity that recently took place in which over 1,000 Syrian civilians reportedly died at the hands of a chemical weapon attack. Seeing the video and images of dead or helpless Syrian civilians struggling for life reminds me of another terrible weapon of war – depleted uranium.…… Continue reading U.S. Depleted Uranium as Malicious as Syrian Chemical Weapons

Politics · Religion

Persecution of Christians Shames Muhammad’s Legacy on Religious Freedom

Dr. Craig Considine11 Comments

Things are spiraling out of control in Egypt, especially for its Coptic community, which has recently been attacked for allegedly helping oust the democratically-elected Muslim Brotherhood from power. The Copts are Egypt’s largest Christian group who make up roughly 10% of the Egyptian population. Over the last several weeks they have witnessed a horrendous string…… Continue reading Persecution of Christians Shames Muhammad’s Legacy on Religious Freedom

Work

So What if a Christian Writes About Muhammad

Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

Some critics find it odd that I am a Christian who writes about Muhammad. Haters see my articles as odd and even worse – sacrilegious – because I give praise to the founder of Islam, a religion often portrayed as “evil” around the world. However, as you will see in these articles, there is nothing…… Continue reading So What if a Christian Writes About Muhammad