--Rabbi Allen S. Maller
It examines the real problems...
Jewish-Muslim Encounters: History, Philosophy and Culture examines the real problems which exist between the two traditions and presents contemporary conflict in an understandable theological and historical context. It demonstrates that respect and tolerance between Judaism and Islam is truly possible.
This volume, authored by a wide range of distinguished Muslim and Jewish
scholars, includes philosophers, historians, political scientists, and
theologians. The essays examine the Muslim-Jewish encounter in history,
philosophy, religious thought, cultural life, as well as theological and
religious elements from these traditions.
The writing reveals the complex history of Islam and Judaism, and the
interconnectedness of the two traditions. Islam and Judaism are not simply
in conflict. They share much in common, including theology, culture and
religious law, as this insightful volume illustrates.
Among the contributors, Lawrence Kaplan, a world famous Maimonides scholar,
explores philosophical and theological links between the two traditions
in his essay on the significant influence of the Arabic philosopher Al-Farabi
on Moses Maimonides. Abdullah Noorudeen Durkee’s essay paves the
way for theological dialogue with his innovative notion of “multiple
truths” and Irfan Ahmad Khan’s essay shows the historical interconnectedness
of the traditions in his treatment of the Koranic portrait of Moses. Charles
Selengut and Yigal Carmon explore the critical theological issues at the
root of religious violence in the Middle East.
The contributors include Prof. Lawrence Kaplan, Dr. Irfan Ahmad Khan,
Ms. Janice Rosen, Dr. Eliezer Don-Yehiya, Dr. Gilbert Kahn, Mr. Yigal
Carmon, Dr. Rowena Hernandez Musquiz, Dr. Richard L. Rubenstein, Prof.
Mustansir Mir, Prof. Sulaman Nyang and Abdullah Noorudeen Durkee.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1. Philosophy and Law in Maimonides and Al-Farabi: In Light of
Maimonides’ Eight Chapters and Al-Farabi’s Chapters of the Statesman
Prof. Lawrence Kaplan
Chapter 2. The Qur’anic View of Moses as a Messenger of God from
the Children of Israel to Pharoah
Dr. Irfan Ahmad Khan
Chapter 3. Trance Parties and Tomb Picnics: Moroccan Saint Veneration
among Muslims and Jews
Ms. Janice Rosen
Chapter 4. Nationalism and Religion in Jewish and Moslem Fundamentalism
Dr. Eliezer Don-Yehiya
Chapter 5. Judaism and Islam: Coping with and Contemplating Democracy
Dr. Gilbert Kahn
Chapter 6. Judaism, Islam and the Middle East Conflict: The Social Psychology
of
Religious Disappointment
Dr. Charles Selengut and Mr. Yigal Carmon
Chapter 7. Encounters in Crisis: Jewish, Converso and Muslim Interaction
with Christian Powers in Late Medieval Seville
Dr. Rowena Hernandez Musquiz
Chapter 8. The Temple Mount and My Grandmother’s Paper Bag
Dr. Richard L. Rubenstein
Chapter 9. Kabbalah and Sufism: A Comparative Look at Jewish and Islamic
Mysticism
Prof. Mustansir Mir
Chapter 10. Convergence and Divergence within the American Muslim Movement
Prof. Sulaman Nyang
Chapter 11. Thoughts on Some Possibilities for Muslim-Jewish Dialogue
Mr. Abdullah Noorudeen Durkee
Notes on Contributors
DR. CHARLES SELENGUT is the author of many studies on the sociology and theology of contemporary Jewish life and is Professor of Sociology at County College of Morris and Professor of Religious Studies at Drew University. He has lectured on the rise of new religious movements at conferences throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Dr. Selengut wrote the monograph “By Torah Alone: Yeshiva Fundamentalism in Jewish Society,” and Seeing Society: Perspectives on Social Life and Jewish Identity in the Postmodern Age: Scholarly and Personal Reflections.
