Hagar and Sarah in Art and Interfaith Dialog

The “Abrahamic” has become a common touchstone in the theory and practice of interfaith dialog between Jews, Christians, and Muslims. However, there are major issues with this formula. Most of all, it elevates Abraham but marginalizes his wives, Sarah and Hagar, and so the formula sustains a dubious hegemony in which patriarchs matter more than matriarchs. Although their tales are interpreted in divergent ways in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, related challenges arise in each tradition. In this chapter I unpack some of these issues using works of art by artists including Edmonia Lewis, George Segal, Adi Nes, and Siona Benjamin. The conclusion speculates on the wider possibilities for using the visual arts as a tool for interfaith dialog and feminist critique.

DIALOG OF INTERFAITH AND INTERBELIEF COMMUNITIES OF PANTURA (TALI AKRAP): AN OVERVIEW FROM THE STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONAL THEORY

Interfaith dialog is commonly carried out to harmonize the relationship and minimize conflicts between religious believers. This study examines how the functional structure of an interfaith community and beliefs can create harmonious interfaith relationship through an interfaith dialog held in Kudus, Central Java. This study is designed with qualitative research model by applying the phenomenological approach. The data were technically collected through interviews, observation, document studies and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Theoretically, this study used Talcott Parsons’ structural functional theory. The results showed that the Interfaith and Interbelief Communities of Pantura (TALI AKRAP) is a system in society where the religious adherents and the flow of beliefs are the integrated elements, each of which should function one another in creating a balance in society. As a system, TALI AKRAP holds four imperative functions which are simultaneously integrated in action systems, namely adaptation, goal attention, integration and learn pattern maintenance or commonly abbreviated AGIL. The existence of adaptation between religious adherents in the community aims to understand, recognize and accept one another as an effort to realize the harmony among religious believers. The goal to be achieved is a community with concern, tolerance, lives side by side and accepts differences as a gift from the God Almighty, all of which are integrated in social dialog activities between religious believers which exist for a long time and are carried out continuously.

Developing inclusive leaders with religious literacy in the workplace

There have been several incidents in the United States that point to significant problems with religious intolerance. Public debates and confrontations can have rippling effects beyond the political and public discourse when one considers that these abrasive viewpoints and discussions can represent employee beliefs that can bleed into coworker encounters in the workplace and cause conflict, marginalization, and discrimination as it relates to religion. This paper provides an exploration of the critical need for the development of leaders with knowledge and understanding of the importance of religious literacy and interfaith dialog in the workplace.

مکالمہ ومطالعہ مذاہب کا نبوی منہج

Every Human need Peace. Making peace is a matter of individual and institutional choice, as well as of individual and institutional change. Thus, peace requires a sense of inner conversion (metanoia) a change in policies and practices. Peace-making ultimately requires commitment, courage and sacrifice. Islam proved that Muslims and non-Muslims are all equal as human beings and are equal in human compassion and relation-ship. The teaching and instructions given by Islam with regard to mutual respect and moral excellence are primarily meant for Muslims; however, non-Muslims are also included in it. The Holy Prophet Muhammad. taught his followers high morals and considerate in dealing with others. The Holy Prophet Muhammad, gave ideas concerning human rights, collective justice, tolerance, and mutual peaceful existence in the internati-onal relations.This article explains about the interfaith dialog according to the Sayings of Holy Prophet Muhammad.