MADISON All too often, even many well-meaning Americans have been known to slip the term “sharia law” into public discourse — two words that, intentionally or not, can paint a distorted picture of Muslims. This frequently misunderstood term can leave the concerned citizenry with a dangerous generalization: that Islamic Law commands believers in Allah to commit horrific acts, such as beheadings and terrorist attacks.
So Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef visited St. Matthew the Apostle Church here on Sept. 21 to dispel many of these misconceptions about Muslims and enlighten an enthusiastic interfaith audience that night about the religious tenets of Islam. He cleared up one myth by emphasizing only radical Muslims pervert the teachings of Islam to justify committing terroristic acts. Instead, the vast majority Muslims the world over live as peace-loving people, said the religious leader, who spoke during a lively presentation, hosted by Building Bridges.
“The word ‘sharia’ means ‘pathway to life.’ It is the way that each Muslim culture puts Islamic moral and religious law [mostly derived from the Koran] into practice in their societies,” said Imam Shareef, co-founder and an executive board member of the Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace, during the standing-room-only Heritage Hall gathering at the Morris County parish. “In fact, the word Islam means ‘peace.’ We are all called to be prophets of peace,” he said.
During his talk, Imam Shareef pointed out how Islam has been closely connected with other religious traditions and has made many technological advancements around the world through the centuries. The Koran, he said, was one of several texts that shaped the founding principles of the U.S., evidenced by the fact that Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both owned copies of Islam’s chief text, along with the Torah and the Scriptures, said Imam Shareef.
Not only that, Judaism, Christianity and Islam have a deep connection with each other through the common religious figure of Abraham and by sharing many prophets, such as Noah and Moses. Muslims also consider Jesus to be a messenger of God, said Imam Shareef. “In a world torn by violence and discord, it’s important that we have a better understanding of Islam. Your attendance here tonight shows your interest in creating a better world of peace and harmony,” Father Daniel Murphy, St. Matthew’s pastor and co-founder of Building Bridges, told the audience. “Tonight, we all pray as children of Abraham. We all come together in friendship to give witness to the truth and help live in God’s law of love,” he said.
In his slide presentation, Imam Sharif outlined the principle tenants of Islam, primary among them the belief that “God is the only one — the beginning and the end and the merciful redeemer.” Muslims also believe in the prophets — “messengers sent by God to give us guidance when we go off track” and “help us understand his message in a contemporary sense” — and in angels. They also believe that, after death, God will call them to judgment for their intentions and actions, he said.
In addition, Muslims maintain their spiritual life by praying five times daily and believe that “all wealth belongs to God” and that “they have an obligation to give to the less fortunate.”
After his presentation, Imam Shareef answered questions from the audience, before everyone sang two songs of inspiration and peace: “Let Three Be Peace on Earth” and “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.” St. Matthew’s posted a video of his talk on its web site, www.stmatthewsrandolph.org.
“Knowledge leads to love. Ignorance leads to the opposite: hatred,” said Rabbi Menashe East of the Mount Freedom Jewish Center in Randolph, who co-founded Building Bridges with Father Murphy in 2009, when both them first arrived in town to begin leading their respective congregations.
Today, the interfaith group consists of six local faith communities: three Methodist; two Roman Catholic, including Resurrection Parish, also in Randolph; and one Jewish. Its activities have included a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, Holocaust memorial and various talks on religious topics at their various houses of worship, Father Murphy said.
“We want to have Jewish/Christian dialogue to build up the kingdom of God. There is such anger out there, so understanding is necessary for unity,” said Father Murphy, whose brother, Edward, died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. “I do not want my brother’s death to be in vain. I want us to help promote peace and love,” the priest said.