I had a delightfully fun interview this morning with Imam Abdul Rauf of the so-called “Ground Zero Mosque.” About 70 minutes on the phone. He was so engaging, open, interesting and downright easy to talk to. I think our paths will cross again!
I asked him the fun, easy questions like, “Where are you from?” Egypt/Kuwait. “When did you come to America?” 1965. Then bigger and broader questions like, “Do you have any regrets about starting this Cordoba Center/Park51 Mosque?” And…did the criticism hurt and feel personal? To…do you think Christians acted like Christ during this process?
I also asked the ones I always get asked: “Why don’t more Muslims stand up and speak out against the few radical, crazy Muslims? And/or if they are, why aren’t their voices heard?”
I also asked (against my judgement, but everyone always asks me this question): “Are you willing to stand up for the rights of Muslims in Muslim countries to convert to Christianity if they want to…and then build churches in places like Saudi Arabia?” (To which he immediately answered yes to both, and went on a long discussion about how the Qur’an explicitly states that this should be a right everyone has, and the countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia that don’t allow that are not being true to the faith).
I asked him if he supports Hamas. Without hesitation he said NO and went so far as to call them thugs and thieves. I suggested it needed a more complex and nuanced answer (like I would give), but he didn’t budge. The full answer was NO.
We talked about Jesus. (He said he was drawn so much closer to Jesus through this process, as he too was feeling crucified – an interesting thing for a Muslim to say.)
And so much more….the juiciest parts will be left for the project that I did this for – you’ll have to wait and see on that one!
“WHY do I do this?” some ask. Good question. And why do I not “call them out” and “tell them the whole truth” as one Radio interviewer said to me just yesterday….
A couple reasons:
1. I want to treat the “outsider” with as much grace as Jesus treated the outsiders. He seldom (sometimes, but seldom) gave hard or direct answers to them. He was typically more nuanced with the “other” and harder on his disciples – and hardest on the religious types.
2. I don’t want to shut the door to future conversations. Keeping doors open is much of what I’m about in these types of discussions.
3. I want to honor him. I asked him for an hour of his very busy time – he graciously gave it to me – and so the last thing I want to do is be rough on him.
Could I have said/asked/done more? Of course. And frankly, I often wonder when I’m finished with such a conversation, if I should have said more (just being honest). But I pray and trust and try to follow as best I can. I read through the whole book of Matthew this morning – beginning to end – in preparation. Not sure why, just felt I should. Then prayed. Talked it through with Chris in the backyard, and made the call. (Aaron Taylor also helped and was on the phone call.)
May Jesus, who comes full of both Grace and Truth, give us the measure of both as we need them!
