Tolerance Week -- Day of Seminars

Seminar on "Examples of Tolerance in Islam"

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Texas Union 2.102, Eastwoods Room

11:00-11:15AM
Opening remarks: Maria Curtis, Dept of Anthropology (Folklore and Public Culture)

Ms. Curtis explained the need of tolerance on campus and the world at large.

11:15-12:00PM
Speaker: Adnan Rumi, Chaplain, Islamic Dialog Center at Houston

Mr. Rumi informed us on the Charter of Privileges granted by Prophet Muhammad to the monks of the Saint Catherine Monastery in Mt. Sinai in 628 C.E. It consisted of several clauses covering all aspects of human rights including such topics as the protection of Christians, freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property, exemption from military service, and the right to protection in war.

An English translation of that document is presented below.

This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).

The seminar also covered parts of Quran related to tolerance of other faiths. Some examples are as follows:

Quran 2:62
Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last day and does good, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.

Quran 2:136
Say (O Muslims): We believe in God and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.

Quran 3:64
Say: O People of the Book! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside God. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him).

Quran 29:46
... Say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit.

12:00-12:15PM
Free pizza and drinks were served.