The Faith Divide Archive by Category - On Faith at washingtonpost.com

Going McCarthy

Homophobia, anti-Semitism, and racism must never go unchecked. The same is true for Islamophobia.

By Eboo Patel | November 17, 2009; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (1)

Another Muslim soldier

Like so many Americans , many of my thoughts and prayers are devoted to those in the military. But my deeds have not lived up to my intention.

By Eboo Patel | November 12, 2009; 01:39 PM ET | Comments (0)

Need for a Muslim-Jewish alliance

Actions of Madoff, Hasan inflamed Jewish and Muslim defamers. Time for both groups to work together against hate.

By Eboo Patel | November 9, 2009; 04:01 PM ET | Comments (4)

Ethical leadership in Jerusalem

Where is Arab Muslim leadership for peace in the Middle East? Meet Forsan Hussein, CEO of Jerusalem International YMCA .

By Eboo Patel | October 23, 2009; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (20)

Many Faiths, One Night in Bethesda

Do you know how your religious tradition speaks to serving others? To diversity? I posed this question to a full sanctuary on Tuesday night.

By Eboo Patel | October 7, 2009; 04:49 PM ET | Comments (3)

Journey into America

A new film shows what it means to be Muslim in America, and consequently, what it means to be American.

By Eboo Patel | October 2, 2009; 10:13 AM ET | Comments (9)

Realizing the (Muslim) American Dream

Last week, I attended the swearing-in ceremony of Farah Pandith as special representative to Muslim communities at the State Department, the first position of its kind.

By Eboo Patel | September 21, 2009; 06:37 AM ET | Comments (0)

The Last Days of Ramadan

There is a New Years quality to Ramadan. It's how many Muslims mark time, and it's when we make resolutions.

By Eboo Patel | September 18, 2009; 09:13 AM ET | Comments (4)

Interfaith Solidarity During Ramadan

Christians are joining Muslims to fast during Ramadan. A sign of the times?

By Eboo Patel | August 28, 2009; 09:23 AM ET | Comments (47)

United We Serve in the Midst of the Storm

Today's guest blogger is Meghan Paul-Cook, the Congregational Organizer with the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches. As a tornado touched down just a few city blocks away, a humble group gathered in the safest place we could be, deep...

By Eboo Patel | August 26, 2009; 05:23 PM ET | Comments (0)

A Dishonest Review About Islam

Fouad Ajami and his editors at the New York Times Book Review should know better.

By Eboo Patel | August 3, 2009; 09:05 AM ET | Comments (162)

What Makes People Good

What are the possibilities of being good if your focus is entirely on the present?

By Eboo Patel | July 28, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (0)

Inspired to Serve

A new book reminds us how the scriptures and stories across faith traditions call us to serve others.

By Eboo Patel | July 14, 2009; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (6)

Muslim Americans Answer the Call

United We Serve campaign challenges U.S. Muslims to create one thousand service projects.

By Eboo Patel | July 6, 2009; 09:39 AM ET | Comments (12)

When Muslims Saved Jews

Nearly every Jew in Albania -- the only European country with a Muslim majority -- survived during the German occupation.

By Eboo Patel | June 25, 2009; 07:11 PM ET | Comments (47)

Two Forces Shaping Iran

Obama's victory in 2008, death of the Prophet's grandson in 680 -- two events fueling protests in Iran.

By Eboo Patel | June 24, 2009; 09:21 AM ET | Comments (11)

Obama vs. Ahmadinejad

I hope Obama reaches out to Iran's huge, rising under-30 generation and not just its iron-fisted government.

By Eboo Patel | June 15, 2009; 09:29 AM ET | Comments (15)

Silencing von Brunn

Instead of focusing on the killer, let us rather pour our energy into how we can honor the victim's life.

By Eboo Patel | June 12, 2009; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (14)

Obama, Cairo and Interfaith Service

Obama's speech demonstrated that the interfaith service movement has arrived.

By Eboo Patel | June 8, 2009; 09:26 AM ET | Comments (3)

Obama Draws From King in Cairo

The President did not refer to "Muslim extremists" - just extremists. Hopefully this signals the end of the crazy and counterproductive "Islamo-fascist" talk.

By Eboo Patel | June 4, 2009; 10:17 AM ET | Comments (4)

Obama a Champion at Notre Dame

Obama's Notre Dame speech was a near perfect demonstration of public leadership in an environment of polarization.

By Eboo Patel | May 18, 2009; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (6)

A Righteous American Muslim

Mian Ashraf exemplified both the Muslim and the American traditions.

By Eboo Patel | May 15, 2009; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (10)

The Fist and the Open Hand

Do we choose the way of Bin Laden or Dr. King? Clenched fists win only if the rest of us keep our hands in our pockets.

By Eboo Patel | May 11, 2009; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (20)

We All Prayed

A crowd of Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Agnostics prayed for peace and for leaders who would work together.

By Eboo Patel | May 8, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (26)

Understanding Our Own Faith First

Rather than discuss the hypocrisy of others, we should look deeper into our own beliefs.

By Eboo Patel | May 6, 2009; 11:47 AM ET | Comments (4)

An Evangelical Open Hand to the Muslim World

One pastor's respectful approach to spreading the gospel in the Muslim world can help us all build bridges

By Eboo Patel | May 4, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (13)

Faiths Act Against Malaria

Imagine if many diverse faith communities around America joined forces to tackle malaria.

By Eboo Patel | April 24, 2009; 10:06 AM ET | Comments (1)

There Will Be Generations

A new Holocaust Museum reminds us all of our responsibilities to the past and the future.

By Eboo Patel | April 20, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (4)

New Interfaith Vision for Europe

While Wilders and Ali promote fear of Islam, a Dutch minister is pushing Obama-like message of hope in diversity.

By Eboo Patel | April 16, 2009; 12:35 PM ET | Comments (10)

Religion & Violence

Today's guest blogger is Ola Mohamed, a senior Political Science and International Studies double major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ola is also the President of UNC's Muslim Students Association and an '08-'09 Interfaith Youth Core...

By Eboo Patel | April 15, 2009; 03:25 PM ET | Comments (2)

Faith Council Begins Its Work

Tuesday's first gathering of faith leaders showed how Obama has already changed this country.

By Eboo Patel | April 9, 2009; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (17)

The War on "War on Terror"

The Obama administration is working to change the "clash of civilizations" framework by changing its rhetoric.

By Eboo Patel | April 3, 2009; 10:29 AM ET | Comments (208)

The New Christian Interfaith Leaders

Today's guest blogger is Hannah McConnaughay, an Outreach Education and Training Associate at the Interfaith Youth Core. Hannah graduated in June of 2008 from the University of Chicago, where she studied religious studies and economics and was a member of...

By Eboo Patel | April 1, 2009; 02:30 PM ET | Comments (4)

Holy Warriors in National Armies

The disturbing rise of religious nationalism in Christian, Jewish and Muslim security forces.

By Eboo Patel | March 30, 2009; 10:03 AM ET | Comments (27)

Virtual Community of Inter-Religious Leaders: the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue™

Today's guest blogger is Joshua Stanton. Joshua is the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue™ and a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College. He is the recipient of numerous leadership awards, including the Hyman P. Moldover Scholarship for Communal...

By Eboo Patel | March 25, 2009; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (5)

Poem for Spring

Muslim communities in America are celebrating Navroz -- Persian New Year -- and spring.

By Eboo Patel | March 23, 2009; 10:26 AM ET | Comments (6)

Counter-Terrorist Storytelling

It's vital for all of us to counter "young Muslim terrorist" stories with "exceptional Muslim youth" stories

By Eboo Patel | March 20, 2009; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (138)

St. Joseph's Day

Today's guest blogger is Erik Schwarz, founder of Interfaith Works, a nonprofit based in New Orleans, Louisiana, that partners with a wide range of faith communities and other organizations around innovative social-change projects. He also co-directs The Institute for Faith...

By Eboo Patel | March 18, 2009; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (0)

India's 'Slumdog' Role Model

The Indian who won two Academy Awards for music shows that Muslim pluralism is flourishing.

By Eboo Patel | March 9, 2009; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (45)

Mumbai Revival

Why did Mumbaikers overwhelmingly view the 2008 terrorist attacks as a case of pluralism vs extremism rather than Hindu vs. Muslim?

By Eboo Patel | March 6, 2009; 10:17 AM ET | Comments (66)

India, the Aspiring Pluralistic Democracy

The world's oldest democracy and its largest democracy should lead the world in interfaith cooperation.

By Eboo Patel | March 5, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (18)

Geert Wilders on Capitol Hill

Don't deport the anti-Islamic politician, or ban his film. Let's teach him the American value of religious liberty.

By Eboo Patel | February 26, 2009; 08:19 AM ET | Comments (142)

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream in India

The dream of India is the dream of pluralism, the idea of different communities retaining their uniqueness while relating in a way that recognizes they share universal values.

By Eboo Patel | February 23, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (15)

Defeating Al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda rises and falls not so much on the actions of its hard-core adherents, but on whether it can bring other Muslims into its fold.

By Eboo Patel | February 16, 2009; 09:15 AM ET | Comments (50)

Lessons From the Land of Lincoln and Obama

As we look back, let's remember the story of unity that the myth of Lincoln teaches us -- the story of unity that Obama stresses time and time again.

By Eboo Patel | February 13, 2009; 10:37 AM ET | Comments (6)

World Leaders and Interfaith Cooperation

We have a former British Prime Minister and a new American President each articulating a vision of interfaith cooperation and building institutions to make good on that vision.

By Eboo Patel | February 9, 2009; 09:57 AM ET | Comments (19)

Why I Joined Obama's Faith Council

President Obama's vision for the faith-based council connects his domestic goals with his foreign policy goal of reaching out to people of all faiths and nations.

By Eboo Patel | February 6, 2009; 10:24 AM ET | Comments (22)

Muslims Speaking Up for Islam and Peace

The report states that such peacemaking efforts are organic to the tradition of Islam itself, and Muslim intellectuals are increasingly articulating these dimensions of Islam both within Muslim circles and beyond them.

By Eboo Patel | February 2, 2009; 12:27 PM ET | Comments (88)

Obama's Patchwork Heritage and Worldview

One of President Obama's key stories has always been about diversity as strength. And his life is the embodiment of that dimension of the American dream.

By Eboo Patel | January 30, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (4)

Hum Honge Kamyab/We Shall Overcome

Today's guest blogger is Jenan Mohajir, a program associate for the Outreach Education & Training program at the Interfaith Youth Core. She is extensively involved with the Muslim community through several grassroots initiatives in Chicago, IL "Hum Honge Kamyab." Throughout...

By Eboo Patel | January 28, 2009; 10:20 AM ET | Comments (2)

Obama Reaches Out to the Muslim World

Not only was Obama the first President to mention the word "Muslim" in an inauguration speech, he did it with his hand out instead of with his fist clenched.

By Eboo Patel | January 26, 2009; 12:52 AM ET | Comments (109)

The Legacy of King's Letter

Today's guest blogger is Angie Chan, a senior Linguistics Major at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, most of Angie's time is spent working with the Interfaith Youth Core's Fellows Alliance program, as well as acting as...

By Eboo Patel | January 21, 2009; 01:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

A Different Kind of Conversation About the Middle East

"Step One is recognizing that this is a difficult dialogue ... That's crucially important... [And] when you realize that it's difficult but that you're willing to take it on, I think that's where the courage starts ..." -- Ola, Interfaith...

By Eboo Patel | January 9, 2009; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (3)

Status Quo vs. Solution for Middle East

The sad truth of the Middle East conflict is that many Muslims and Jews agree that the Solution Rulebook makes sense to them, but when the crisis escalates and hits the front page (like now), the old logic takes over and Muslim and Jewish organizations revert to the Status Quo Rules.

By Eboo Patel | January 8, 2009; 06:17 AM ET | Comments (51)

Rick Warren and Our Either/Or Culture

Win or lose, you have to go to work with people who believe (perhaps passionately) differently than you.

By Eboo Patel | December 19, 2008; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (50)

The Power of Protest

This is why you don't see Pakistanis protesting their own government, but rather Denmark's. Because in Denmark, they might have a say.

By Eboo Patel | December 15, 2008; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (1)

In Defense of Sonal Shah

To link Sonal Shah to the activities of the Hindu nationalist right is offensive and inaccurate.

By Eboo Patel | December 11, 2008; 09:51 AM ET | Comments (133)

Stealing Eid

Eboo Patel | The terrorists of Mumbai stole many things - lives, property, tranquility. Add the Hajj and Eid to the list.

» Kamran Pasha: Hollywood Goes to Mecca

By Eboo Patel | December 8, 2008; 10:17 AM ET | Comments (235)

Terrorism and Patriotism in India

India is one of the most diverse countries in the world - a carnival of ethnic groups, religious communities, languages, tribes, castes, etc. In fact, the idea of India is the idea of pluralism.

By Eboo Patel | December 5, 2008; 12:21 PM ET | Comments (24)

Music and the Possibility of Peace

Daniel Barenboim, the Argentine Israeli Maestro, is back in the United States this week for, among other things, a chamber concert with his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the United Nations, working for peace.

By Eboo Patel | November 24, 2008; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (132)

Is She Muslim Enough?

Inspired by Obama's "Joshua Generation," some day soon a Muslim American women will rise up and run for Congress, and face similar challenges in her own community.

By Eboo Patel | November 21, 2008; 08:28 AM ET | Comments (11)

Obama and the Old Guard

Barack didn't ask the permission of the Old Guard - in the black church, in the civil rights generation, or in the Democratic party. He understood that the past was further away and the future nearer than any of the Old Guard thought.

By Eboo Patel | November 17, 2008; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (20)

Saudi Hypocrisy or Saudi Tolerance?

Maybe King Abdullah, by articulating the central Muslim value of religious pluralism on the world stage, will find the citizens of his Kingdom demanding that he implement it at home.

By Eboo Patel | November 14, 2008; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (77)

Ultimate Truth & Interfaith Work

Today's guest blogger is Amber Hacker, a graduate of University of North Carolina Wilmington and a Leadership Associate at the Interfaith Youth Core. Amber manages the bridge-builders network, an online community for leaders of the interfaith youth movement. I believe...

By Eboo Patel | November 12, 2008; 04:11 PM ET | Comments (0)

The Joy of Alignment

My grandfather has this impossible-to-believe ability to find humor and positivity in any situation.

By Eboo Patel | November 6, 2008; 11:44 AM ET | Comments (1)

New American Gospel

When Obama took the stage, I heard my little boy stir. He felt the earth shift. We all did. As I looked at television images of crowds in Atlanta and Chicago and Kenya, I felt like I saw the faces of King and Lincoln and Mandela.

By Eboo Patel | November 5, 2008; 02:32 AM ET | Comments (35)

Studs Terkel and Barack Obama

The spirit of Studs Terkel is going to fire the soul of this nation for a long time to come.

By Eboo Patel | November 3, 2008; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (10)

Faith as heritage, faith as recognition

Today's guest blogger is Remz Pokorny, a senior at Brandeis University, majoring in Political Science and Middle East Studies. He is also an IFYC Fellow and an active member of the Brandeis Baha'i Association. Let's start at the beginning: My...

By Eboo Patel | October 29, 2008; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (6)

Whose Religious Values?

As a young voter and interfaith activist, this is what I like to hear. For my peers, focusing on these urgent issues creates common ground for walking across the lines of faith. Without having to agree on the meaning of marriage, we can lobby together for health care and renewable energy.

By Eboo Patel | October 15, 2008; 02:22 PM ET | Comments (15)

Religulous, or Just Ridiculous?

Maher's dogged pursuit of rationality in the face of the faithful is particularly fascinating because his end result - vehemently dismissing religious belief in all forms - is neither reasonable nor humble.

By Eboo Patel | October 8, 2008; 06:13 PM ET | Comments (158)

Biden, Palin Focus on Issues, not Ideology

Eboo Patel | Conservative Christians might be lukewarm to Sarah Palin's emphasis on tolerance for same-sex relationships.

By Eboo Patel | October 3, 2008; 08:00 AM ET | Comments (32)

How Islamophobia Works

"Obession" film incites concerns about Islam. We all should be concerned about its impact on truth and freedom.

By Eboo Patel | September 26, 2008; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (27)

Generation Service

When the history of my generation is written, national service will be considered our most important contribution to America.

By Eboo Patel | September 19, 2008; 12:33 PM ET | Comments (5)

On 9/11, Bowing and Clearing Our Heads

Eboo Patel | We are not at war with a religion. We are at war with extremists. This is not a Muslim vs. Christian world, it is a Pluralism vs. Extremism world.

» Tim Shriver: The Post-9/11 Task for All Faiths

By Eboo Patel | September 11, 2008; 11:57 AM ET | Comments (99)

Ramadan and Fasting in a Parallel Universe

What makes Ramadan markedly different in America is that it truly brings all faiths together.

By Eboo Patel | August 28, 2008; 10:46 AM ET | Comments (81)

Interfaith Dialogue on the High Seas

It didn't matter at all that my heritage was different than theirs, and they welcomed me with open arms.

By Eboo Patel | August 25, 2008; 02:59 PM ET | Comments (3)

Interfaith Youth At Work in New Orleans

Since Katrina, diverse faith communities have come together in the absence of government to open their arms, hearts, heads, homes, wallets, prayers and places of worship for New Orleanians.

By Eboo Patel | August 19, 2008; 03:58 PM ET | Comments (8)

What We Can Learn from Bahá'í Elections

In sports, violations are often imposed for unsportsmanlike conduct. In similar fashion, voters could discourage negative attacks between the candidates, through opinion polls and on Election Day.

By Eboo Patel | August 15, 2008; 01:57 PM ET | Comments (7)

Speak for Yourself

The peaceful and pluralistic must work to make their voices heard through actions that speak louder than those of the aggressors. American Muslims will find that voice through civic engagement.

By Eboo Patel | August 12, 2008; 06:38 PM ET | Comments (3)

Conflict or Cooperation? A Case for the Interfaith Youth Movement

The world would have us hate one another, but here we are coming together to do something we all care about. There must be something divine in that.

By Eboo Patel | August 11, 2008; 03:05 PM ET | Comments (0)

Darfur & the Olympics: A Jewish Lament

The hour is indeed dark for the women, children, and men of Darfur, but it need not always be so. If people of conscience are willing to dedicate themselves to ending the genocide in western Sudan, it can happen.

By Eboo Patel | August 8, 2008; 11:15 AM ET | Comments (67)

The New Christian Woman

I am grateful to be a member of the Presbyterian Church. The church has blessed me with the freedom to answer God's call, whatever the next call may be.

By Eboo Patel | August 6, 2008; 11:07 AM ET | Comments (4)

Piecemeal Pragmatic Pluralism

How can we encourage interfaith dialogue on public policy issues without predetermined universal principles of adjudication?

By Eboo Patel | August 1, 2008; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (18)

Guest Blogger: My Vegetarian Faith

When I told the Peruvian family I was staying with that I didn’t eat meat, they were quick to express their sympathy for what they undoubtedly considered an unfortunate condition. Their solution to my particular ailment happened to be rice and potatoes.

By Eboo Patel | July 16, 2008; 12:32 PM ET | Comments (68)

Posts By Category

Posts By Date

Archive: Personal Religion