musalaha

Musalaha is one way of saying “reconciliation” in Arabic. It comes from a verb (salaha) that can mean “to foster peace” and is, in essence, the art and craft of cultivating friendship and peaceful co-existence. Herein, we hope to create a space of critical thought and reflection on Christianity, Islam, and the interactions between adherents of the two faiths. While the outworkings of this intention are many of the posts you will read, musalaha is also a reminder of a divine, yet often over-looked, call. Was it not revealed, “make peace and bring about reconciliation between your brothers” (Qur’an 49:10)? Has it not also been “committed to us the message of reconciliation” (1 Corinthians 5:19)? Have we not been enjoined to love our neighbors as ourselves?

This may all sound horribly sappy. For all the reconciliation that may be demonstrated here musalaha remains, in some ways, an oxymoron. There are indeed elements of Christianity and Islam that remain irreconcilable. That need not deter our efforts to remain at peace with each other – we need not reconcile all of doctrine, just people.  Thus, we takes serious here the table that has been set before us in the presence of those some might perceive to be enemies. Our presence at that table is our witness to the One who set it.

In all of this, musalaha remains a reflection of its author. As a result, posts will also appear from time to time that focus on general goings-on or theological musings. In any case, please enjoy and feel free to contribute your thoughts and comments.

Header image details from al-Hariri’s Maqama Badi’ al-Zaman al-Hamadhani and painted by Yahya b. Mahmud al-Wasiti (Baghdad, 1237) in Ms. Arabe 5847, Bibliotheque, Nationale, Paris.