May 2010 Archives

ICRD Monthly Update 

May 14, 2010

                                                                                                                                 

 "Lighting the Lantern" in Pakistan

 

         ICRD recently hosted a delegation of influential Wahhabi and Deobandi religious leaders and Master Trainers from Pakistan on a three-week visit to the United States. (Master Trainers are madrasa leaders who ICRD has qualified to train other madrasa leaders.) The visit enabled the participants to (1) explore Islamic education in America, including best practices and how religion is integrated with other subjects, (2) receive professional development training in teaching methodologies and conflict resolution skills, (3) explore how religious and citizen groups can contribute to peace-building and civil society, and (4) build relationships with their American counterparts, while promoting greater intercultural understanding. The program included a week of intensive training at World Learning's School of International Training in Vermont; visits to selected educational institutions, American Islamic organizations, and places of worship; a presentation at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and meetings with various US government officials, including Congressman Keith Ellison.

 

             The delegates singled out their interactions with American students (in Vermont) as one of the more powerful experiences of the program. Those encounters and others led them to conclude that Americans share many of their concerns, that the values of the United States and Islam are not inherently opposed, and that it is possible to be both a devout Muslim and an active participant in American society. As the delegation leader emphasized: "When we go back to Pakistan and train other people... being more tolerant, open-minded, and respectful of others will be priorities." Another delegate from a tribal region of the Northwest Frontier Province (now called "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa") said, "One of the biggest fears we had when we came here was... that we thought Americans would have anger and hatred toward us, but that feeling has been completely changed... I have felt respected here... There should be much bigger exchanges like this." Yet another said, "When we go back we (also) hope to work to improve the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, even though the situation is not very good at the moment." He concluded, "instead of crying about what is happening, we intend to go back to our small place and do what we can in our individual capacity - and light the lantern wherever we are."                     

 

In Defense of Dialogue

               A few weeks ago, ICRD's Wahhabi partner in Pakistan laid down a marker for his fellow Muslims by providing a compelling Islamic rationale for engaging in dialogue with other faiths (link here

). He writes that "Every religion has developed a message around human values of peace, love, tolerance and mutual respect. Interfaith dialogue can build on these commonalities to strengthen the world community of believers and can save religion from being maligned by those bent on destroying it."  Although he has received a number of threats in response, he has considerable influence across the country. That influence coupled with his courage (along with that of others with whom we work) gives reason to hope that positive change is both possible and likely in the months ahead.

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With best wishes, 

 

Doug Johnston
President
International Center for Religion and Diplomacy
1625 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 601

Washington, DC 20036
www.icrd.org

202-331-9404 (phone)
202-872-9137 (fax)