Islam

The Other Al-Andalus – When Muslims and Christians Flourished Side By Side in Sicily

04/19/201604/11/2018 Dr. Craig Considine10 Comments

I sometimes think about the glories of “Islamic Spain,” or Al-Andalus. Starting around 711 and ending in 1492, Muslim rulers maintained a spirit of convivencia, a Spanish term meaning “living in togetherness” or “coexistence”, which allowed for an unprecedented level of interfaith engagement on the European continent. While Al-Andalus may represent the pinnacle of cooperation among Muslims, Christians…… Continue reading The Other Al-Andalus – When Muslims and Christians Flourished Side By Side in Sicily

Interfaith

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

02/15/2016 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

Interfaith

What Trump and His Supporters Can Learn From Muslim Leaders

12/10/201512/10/2015 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

Interfaith

Irish Imam Promotes Dialogue and Goodwill Between Christians and Muslims

04/07/2015 Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

Non-Muslims worldwide frequently call upon Muslims to condemn “Islamic terrorism” and enter into dialogue with Christians and Jews. The issue is not that Muslim leaders do not denounce extremist violence or speak highly of Judaism and Christianity, it is just that non-Muslims typically do not hear their calls for non-violence and interfaith dialogue because of…… Continue reading Irish Imam Promotes Dialogue and Goodwill Between Christians and Muslims

Interfaith

A Message to Pakistani Muslims Who Attack My Fellow Christians

03/16/2015 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

I woke up yesterday to some horrific news. Muslims attacked a Church during mass in Youhanabad, a predominantly Christian-populated area of Lahore, Pakistan. 14 Christians were killed and more than 70 were injured. Both Christianity and Pakistan are close to my heart. I’m a Catholic American of Irish and Italian descent. I’m also a scholar who researches the Pakistani…… Continue reading A Message to Pakistani Muslims Who Attack My Fellow Christians

Politics

An Unlikely Connection Between the Prophet Muhammad and George Washington

02/16/2015 Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

Published on Huffington Post (January 1st, 2013) In seventh century Arabia, a middle-aged man had a vision to create a new religious and social order for a largely pagan and tribal society. The man, Muhammad, told his band of followers to behave wisely and civilly. “The best among you,” he said, “are those who have…… Continue reading An Unlikely Connection Between the Prophet Muhammad and George Washington

Interfaith

More Details Emerge In Case To Destroy Saint Catherine’s Monastery

04/21/201404/22/2014 Dr. Craig Considine3 Comments

Last week I blogged about the possible closure of Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt, which Ahmed Ragai Attiya, a retired Egyptian army general has pushed for. Saint Catherine’s is considered to be the only monastery in the world to serve as both a church and a mosque. It is also famous for being the home…… Continue reading More Details Emerge In Case To Destroy Saint Catherine’s Monastery

Interfaith

Prophet Muhammad’s Covenant with Christians to be Destroyed with Destruction of St. Catherine’s Monastery

04/17/201403/27/2015 Dr. Craig Considine12 Comments

In the ancient monastery of Saint Catherine’s at Mount Sinai in Egypt, there is a covenant of Prophet Muhammad’s in which he guarantees protection and other rights to the Christian communities of his realm. But a retired Egyptian army general says he has filed a court case pushing for Saint Catherine’s to be demolished, thus…… Continue reading Prophet Muhammad’s Covenant with Christians to be Destroyed with Destruction of St. Catherine’s Monastery

Religion

Islamic and American Constitutions Give Hope For Religious Freedom

01/28/201403/09/2015 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

Interfaith

What Studying Muhammad Taught Me About Islam

01/16/201402/25/2015 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

Film-work · Religion

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

11/27/201302/05/2014 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

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

Religion

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

11/17/201305/23/2016 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

Religion

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

09/23/201302/06/2015 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

Politics

Americans Should Reflect More Tolerance in Light of Miss America Crown

09/16/201302/06/2015 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

Politics · Religion

Persecution of Christians Shames Muhammad’s Legacy on Religious Freedom

08/24/201303/15/2015 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

Outreach

Honoring David McCourt, a hero of 9/11

07/17/201302/07/2015 Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

In the winter of 2009, I was in Palm Beach, Florida conducting research for Akbar Ahmed’s Journey into America, an anthropological study on American identity through the lens of Muslims. Out of the thousands of interviews we conducted in our year-long travels throughout the U.S., David McCourt, a retired businessman who lost his family on…… Continue reading Honoring David McCourt, a hero of 9/11

Interfaith

Top Catholic American official calls Muslims “people of good-will”

06/23/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

There’s a heart-warming story coming out of Rome about the head of a papal agency that gives help to Christians in the Middle East. According to Monsignor John E. Kozar, president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, “[t]he broad majority of Muslims are people of good-will.” Kozar claims that the…… Continue reading Top Catholic American official calls Muslims “people of good-will”

Religion

A Jihad of the Pen: Review of Qasim Rashid’s “The Wrong Kind of Muslim”

06/22/201303/13/2015 Dr. Craig Considine5 Comments

Published on The American Muslim (June 22nd, 2013) Several weeks ago, my friend and kindred spirit Qasim Rashid sent me a digital copy of his highly anticipated book The Wrong Kind of Muslim: An Untold Story of Persecution and Perseverance. I started reading it one early morning in my flat in Dublin, Ireland, thinking I…… Continue reading A Jihad of the Pen: Review of Qasim Rashid’s “The Wrong Kind of Muslim”

Politics

Tales of Two Founding Fathers: Jinnah and Jefferson

06/15/201302/06/2015 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

The founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, is much like Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and intellectual behind the American Revolution. Both men were educated, trained as lawyers, and powerful figures behind the independence movements of two countries, Pakistan and the United States of America. At the moment, Jinnah is in the…… Continue reading Tales of Two Founding Fathers: Jinnah and Jefferson

Film-work · Religion

Finding Pluralism in Akbar the Great (A Short Documentary)

06/10/201306/10/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Akbar the Great is an extraordinary figure in history. Who is he? What did he stand for and what can we learn from his legacy? These are some of the questions which are touched upon in this short documentary. *Feel free to watch/write a review in the comments section. Thank you.* Reviews: “I have tears of…… Continue reading Finding Pluralism in Akbar the Great (A Short Documentary)

Film-work

Short Documentary: “Finding Pluralism in Akbar the Great”

06/09/201304/06/2014 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Akbar the Great is an extraordinary figure in history. Who is he? What did he stand for and what can we learn from his legacy? These are some of the questions which are touched upon in this short documentary. It is inspired by some research I conducted for an article in the Huffington Post Religion. Related articles…… Continue reading Short Documentary: “Finding Pluralism in Akbar the Great”

Interfaith

Finding Tolerance in Akbar, the Philosopher-King

06/01/2013 Dr. Craig Considine4 Comments

By Craig Considine for Huffington Post Akbar the Great, ruler of most of South Asia in the 16th and early 17th century, rejected bigotry and made unprecedented moves to help non-Muslims feel at peace in his Mughal empire. In reflecting more closely upon his character and conduct, we can see how Akbar’s actions are antithetical…… Continue reading Finding Tolerance in Akbar, the Philosopher-King

Pictures · Quoted

Rumi’s Advice on Tolerance, Compassion and Love

05/30/201302/07/2015 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

This picture was taken at the annual Muslim Day Parade in New York City in the fall of 2008. I did not take this picture in black and white. It has been doctored using some software.

Uncategorized

An Islamic History Lesson for the Leader of the English Defence League

05/24/201302/05/2014 Dr. Craig Considine6 Comments

Follow Craig Considine on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ToBeCraig Tommy Robinson, leader of the anti-Muslim group English Defence League, used some racy language in his response to the recent killing of a British soldier by a young British Muslim man in Woolwich, London. Referring to the actions and religion of the murderer, Robinson stated that “This is Islam… They’ve…… Continue reading An Islamic History Lesson for the Leader of the English Defence League

Religion

U.S. State Department report means the battle for tolerance and understanding goes on

05/20/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

A new report carried out by the U.S. State Department found that discrimination against Jews and Muslims is on the rise around the world. This is discouraging news for those who are involved in efforts to improve relations among members of the Abrahamic tradition. The report, which is called the International Religious Freedom Report, concludes that…… Continue reading U.S. State Department report means the battle for tolerance and understanding goes on

Outreach

After bombings, Bostonians must remember its founding fathers’ “model of Christian charity”

05/04/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Boston’s anti-Muslim backlash, which I touched upon in the Huffington Post Religion, in the aftermath of the marathon bombings reminds me of John Winthrop, one of Boston’s founding fathers, and his famous sermon “A Model of Christian Charity.” Winthrop’s sermon, delivered in 1630 aboard the Arbella ship before English Puritans settled in what they called New…… Continue reading After bombings, Bostonians must remember its founding fathers’ “model of Christian charity”

Religion

My Favorite Hebrew Phrase

05/02/201302/07/2015 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

One of the best phrases in the human language: “Tikkun olam (Hebrew: תיקון עולם or תקון עולם[1]‎), meaning “to heal a fractured world.”

Outreach

Uniting for a Common Cause in 2013

01/19/2013 Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

2012 was a turbulent year for Westerners and Muslims worldwide. The attack on the United States’ Embassy in Benghazi, Libya, and the tense debate over freedom of speech and blasphemy laws are just two examples of how the “Western” and “Muslim” worlds continue to be inextricably linked. Despite the cultural and political disputes that have…… Continue reading Uniting for a Common Cause in 2013

Film-work

What would America’s Founding Fathers say about Islam?

01/19/201301/19/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

I have started putting my research into video format on You Tube. These passages from Washington, Adams, Franklin and Jefferson have been taken from my Huffington Post article. I hope this message of peace and tolerance reaches more people around the world.

Religion

This video will renew your faith in humanity

01/09/201301/17/2013 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

Personal

Personal: A note on compassion

12/05/201212/05/2012 Dr. Craig ConsidineLeave a comment

The ancient sages at Delphi always stated to their visitors: ‘know thyself’. No doubt these are wise words, but should we take it further, we could also ‘love thyself’ explicitly so that we can love others. If you don’t love yourself, you won’t have that deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish…… Continue reading Personal: A note on compassion

Personal · Religion

Benjamin Franklin’s Case for Pluralism

07/23/201202/07/2015 Dr. Craig Considine1 Comment

We can gain a sense of young Benjamin Franklin’s thoughts on religion in A Witch Trial at Mount Holly, which raised the concern of his Puritan parents that he held ‘erroneous’ religious opinions. Franklin was not himself an emphatically religious man; while he believed in God, he did not subscribe to one particular creed. What we do…… Continue reading Benjamin Franklin’s Case for Pluralism

Religion

Sufism and the Virgin Mary

07/07/201203/09/2013 Dr. Craig Considine2 Comments

The author of Blessed Virgin Mary is a Sufi master of Turkish descent named Sheikh Muzaffer Ozak, who passed away in 1985. He is considered by Sufis as a Waliullah, or intimate friend of Allah (God). The book is designed in a nonlinear fashion, ‘transcending the usual laws of logic and habitual experience which the Virgin…… Continue reading Sufism and the Virgin Mary

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