An Insight Into the Muslim Faith and Culture

Prepared by the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, St. John's University, New York

Islam, meaning peace, is a faith based on the relationship of the human with the Transcendent Divine. The word Islam refers to the human acceptance of the will of God and the peace that the soul gains from that acceptance. Those who follow this religion are called Muslims. According to this tradition, human beings are required to live by a code of conduct that values life and abides by the highest moral and ethical behavior. The daily life of a good Muslim includes prayers and service to all of God's creation. All people and all of nature must be treated with respect and dignity. Historically, Muslims have lived in and shaped dynamic multicultural pluralistic societies whereby individual freedom was fostered. The beliefs and faiths of a variety of people have been an integral part of the socio-cultural milieu in traditional Islamic countries. For the main part over the centuries Muslim rulers did not necessitate that the governed become or be Muslims. When Muslims governed Spain for almost eight centuries only a third of the people were Muslims, the rest were Jews and Christians. In India, Muslim rule stretched over twelve centuries, and during that time the vast majority of people remained adherents of their own respective religious traditions. Members of various religious traditions were encouraged in the practice of their faith and scholarship both as individuals and as

communities. Moreover, in the realm of educational and cultural endeavors, followers of the faith of Islam have advanced human civilization. In art, poetry and literature, philosophy and medicine, mathematics and the sciences, Muslims have contributed to our shared human heritage.

As in the past, so too in the present, the vast majority of Muslims are participants in multicultural communities and, together with masjids, churches, synagogues and temples, they are found in many countries. Here in the United States of America there are well over 7 million Muslims who are diligent, law-abiding citizens living in peace and harmony. They are committed to the basic tenets of their faith that require them to be kind and generous, charitable and fair, honest and sincere with their fellow citizens.

In this faith of peace, violence and terrorism are not acceptable options for resolving political disagreements. The destruction of innocent lives and of civilian property is therefore condemned. Protection of all life is a fundamental aspect of the Islamic ethos.

Together with all people of good will, Muslims aspire to nourish an environment of peace, harmony and mutual respect whereby we can enable and facilitate the growth and the flourishing of all. We must all ensure that the recent events do not weaken or destroy our aspiration to conduct our activities in an environment governed with hope, charity, faith and peace. May God bless all the people who live in the United States of America and all over the world. We offer our prayers for the victims and their families, and for peace here in the United States and throughout the world.