Interfaith dialogue

TimesOnline reported Tony Blair intends to create a global foundation to foster “greater understanding” between the three “Abrahamic faiths” of Christianity, Judaism and Islam after he leaves Downing Street, The Times has learnt..... A member of his tight-knit inner-circle of advisers confirmed yesterday that Mr Blair is looking to “set up some sort of interfaith organisation”, saying: “He sees this as where the action is and nobody else is really doing it.”.... the interfaith project will attempt to foster religious – rather than political – harmony in the Middle East and elsewhere across the world, including Britain, where rising tensions with militant Islam have provided the backdrop to many of the worst moments of his ten years in office.

I wish him luck. He will be dealing with two faiths that have the ability to reason and have intelligent discussions, and one that views violence as the way to prevail. I urge him to check with Robert Spencer at http://jihadwatch.org/

Mr Blair, who was enthusiastically reading the Koran even before the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US, said recently: “The tragedy is that as Christians, Jews and Muslims we are all Abrahamic religions. We regard ourselves as children of Abraham but we have fought for so long.”.... He added: “Most Christians are hugely surprised to be told that the Koran reveres Jesus as a prophet.

It also lists Jewish prophets like Abraham and Moses, but it refers to them as Muslims. This was done during the Mecca period when Muhammad was trying to convince Jewish and Christian tribes that their religious scriptures predicted a new prophet, and that he was that prophet, and that they should accept his new interpretation of their faith and become Muslims. When that did not work, he killed them, and transitioned into the Medina phase where the verses he added to the Koran called for the use of force to compel people to accept Islam.

Many Jews, Muslims and Christians are entirely ignorant of the rich Abrahamic heritage we share in common.”

Although aides acknowledge that the new project may face resistance from Muslims who loathe him for his role as an ally to Mr Bush and in the invasion of Iraq, Mr Blair believes that he can appeal to moderate Islam.

If he can just find it.

Swaraaj Chauhan blogged How about including Hindus, Buddhists and others in your future religious networking, Prime Minister Tony Blair?

Because he is trying to find Moderate Muslims, and Islam considers Jews and Christians to be "People of the Book"

Surat Al 'Imran, 64 (Qur'an 3:64) says "O People of the Book! Let us rally to a common formula to be binding on both us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God."

and it considers Hindus, Buddhists and others as pagans. That does not mean that Islam treats "People of the Book" as equals. They still must pay a special tax called Jizya if they want to practice their faith without converting to Islam

Surah 9:29
Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.