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Archive: Religious Conflict
The murderer at Fort Hood
A Muslim did not do this. The man who killed brave American soldiers deserves one name only: murderer.
By Eboo Patel | November 6, 2009; 11:16 AM ET | Comments (220)
Faith in the Post 9/11 World
Even more dangerous than ignoring the role of faith in Post-9/11 world is viewing it simply as an agent of violence.
By Eboo Patel | September 10, 2009; 11:58 PM ET | Comments (40)
Battle for Muslim Hearts and Minds
If the Taliban builds schools that teach hatred and violence, we must help build schools that teach tolerance and peace.
By Eboo Patel | August 14, 2009; 09:25 AM ET | Comments (40)
What's at Stake in Afghanistan
What is America's moral responsibility in Afghanistan? To go after terrorists or help little girls go to school?
By Eboo Patel | July 20, 2009; 10:47 AM ET | Comments (15)
Riots in China, and Everywhere
Violent responses to protests in Iran, China and elsewhere shows that religious and ethnic pluralism will be resisted.
By Eboo Patel | July 10, 2009; 10:52 AM ET | Comments (17)
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)
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 Speaking to the Whole World
In Cairo, Obama will set the precedent for how diverse peoples and nations should interact in the 21st century.
By Eboo Patel | June 3, 2009; 10:38 AM ET | Comments (2)
Taliban Declare War on Pakistan, Islam, Everyone
Now is the time for the U.S. to declare: "We want to partner with the Pakistani people to defeat extremism."
By Eboo Patel | May 29, 2009; 08:14 AM ET | Comments (44)
Synagogues and Bridges in the Bronx
Plot to bomb synagogues in New York foiled. Meanwhile, the good work of people of good faith goes on.
By Eboo Patel | May 22, 2009; 09:56 AM ET | Comments (19)
The Biggest Vote
The Hindu nationalist platform of the BJP did not have traction with voters.
By Eboo Patel | May 20, 2009; 11:58 AM ET | Comments (3)
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)
Pakistan's True Enemy (Not India)
The scariest thing for India is no longer a belligerent Pakistani central government, but a non-existent one.
By Eboo Patel | April 27, 2009; 09:59 AM ET | Comments (9)
Checking your faith and politics at the border
Today's guest blogger is Farhana Khera, Executive Director of Muslim Advocates and the National Association of Muslim Lawyers (NAML). Muslim Advocates' mission is to promote equality, liberty, and justice for all by providing leadership through legal advocacy, policy engagement, and...
By Eboo Patel | April 22, 2009; 07:12 PM ET | Comments (1)
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 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)
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)
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)
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)
U.S. Reaching Out to the Muslim World
In his inaugural address, Obama promised the Muslim world that America would extend a hand; I hope what we have seen so far is just the beginning.
By Eboo Patel | February 20, 2009; 09:53 AM ET | Comments (27)
Then They Came for the Bahá'ís
An attack on the Bahá'ís is an attack on all of us who champion the cause of religious pluralism and freedom.
By Eboo Patel | February 18, 2009; 01:17 PM ET | Comments (4)
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)
Waiting for the Second Coming of Sadat
Those of us who see no contradiction between being pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian listened for common ground.
By Eboo Patel | February 4, 2009; 02:33 PM ET | Comments (1)
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)
What Is the Difference Between Bravery and Courage?
Filmmaker and human rights advocate Ronit Avni is today's guest blogger; she is also the Founder & Executive Director of Just Vision, a non-profit that researches, documents and creates media about Palestinian and Israeli civic peace builders. Recipient of Auburn...
By Eboo Patel | January 14, 2009; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (3)
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)
De-Militarizing Young Israelis and Palestinians
My encounter and recent events in Gaza have forced me to think seriously about the consequences of militarizing, year after year, entire generations of young people in Israel and Palestine.
By Eboo Patel | January 7, 2009; 11:32 AM ET | Comments (6)
US Jews, Muslims Need New Playbook
It's time for us to find a Gaza and Middle East solution together, not circle the wagons and shout talking points.
By Eboo Patel | December 31, 2008; 01:14 PM ET | Comments (157)
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)
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: External Violence, Internal Turmoil
Today's guest bloggers are Joshua Stanton and Mirah Curzer. Joshua is a first-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College. He is also founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue™ and a 2007 - 2008 Fellow of the Interfaith Youth...
By Eboo Patel | December 10, 2008; 12:29 PM ET | Comments (2)
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)
Chaos and Intimacy in Mumbai
Today's guest blogger is Zeenat Rahman, a Senior Program Coordinator at the Interfaith Youth Core. She recently completed a tour of six countries in Western Europe, where she explored religious pluralism in the region. I have heard the phrase "this...
By Eboo Patel | December 3, 2008; 03:55 PM ET | Comments (1)
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)
Obama's New Weather Forecast
One place where the change in weather will be most welcome is on the U.S. relationship with the Muslim world.
By Eboo Patel | November 10, 2008; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (16)
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)
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)
Why Al-Qaeda is Endorsing McCain
If Al-Qaeda really thinks a McCain administration would both boost real recruiting AND help advertise the illusion that all Muslims are the enemy, it's no wonder they are pulling for him.
By Eboo Patel | October 27, 2008; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (64)
The New Veterans Movement
Because today's veterans are often tomorrow's political and civic leaders, the IAVA and Paul Rieckhoff may well be creating a social movement that shapes American life for generations to come.
By Eboo Patel | October 24, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (9)
We Are Iraqi
My parents left Iraq in the 70's, and I've had the privilege of being born and raised in the United States. Yet I've realized that living in the States, so far removed from the situation, I am blind to many of the injustices that take place in Iraq, and I know that others are, as well.
By Eboo Patel | October 22, 2008; 11:23 AM ET | Comments (3)
Colin Powell and the American Dream
Colin Powell has always played the good soldier, but on Sunday he became the ultimate statesman - insisting on our country's core principles in the midst of a pitched partisan battle.
By Eboo Patel | October 21, 2008; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (113)
Philanthropy for Fear
So now the Muslim-hating film Obsession has shown up in the mailboxes of students at the University of North Carolina. Add that to the 28 million copies the Clarion Fun sent out as an insert in Sunday newspapers in swing...
By Eboo Patel | October 10, 2008; 09:56 AM ET | Comments (16)
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)
Whose Religious Extremists?
There is no such thing as your extremists or my extremists, Jewish extremists or Muslim extremists. There are only extremists.
By Eboo Patel | October 6, 2008; 10:04 AM ET | Comments (109)
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)
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)
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)
Guest Blogger: How U.S. Jews Can Best Help Israeli Jews
Much as the American Muslim community can provide an example to its European counterpart, it might be possible for the American Jewish community to model intra-religious tolerance for Israeli society.
By Eboo Patel | July 23, 2008; 02:54 PM ET | Comments (5)
A Grief and Hope Found Only in Poetry
Eboo Patel: Rumi and Whitman remind us of the radical love, overflowing openness, and unquenchable aspiration to be better that is America at its best.
By Eboo Patel | September 11, 2007; 01:10 AM ET | Comments (21)
The Muslims of Jesus Camp
Eboo Patel: What to do with the billion-plus Muslims who are committed to following the example of mercy and monotheism set forth by Jesus and all of God’s messengers?
By Eboo Patel | September 10, 2007; 08:59 AM ET | Comments (96)
People Build the Steeple
The solution is not denigration of religion a la Hitchens, but new religious leadership that acts on dimensions of faith that are life-affirming instead of suffocating.
By Eboo Patel | May 25, 2007; 10:56 AM ET | Comments (76)
On Mormons and Muslims
I cannot help but consider it a gift from God that it was a Mormon who illuminated those Muslim values for me.
By Eboo Patel | May 7, 2007; 11:40 AM ET | Comments (157)
Blame the Individual, Not the Faith
As the Pope said, I do not hold Catholicism, its one billion members or even its organized leadership responsible for their sins and crimes.
By Eboo Patel | April 23, 2007; 12:10 PM ET | Comments (122)
Religious Extremists Have a Media Strategy
The best way to reduce the amount of religious extremism on television is to make a stronger case for religious pluralism.
By Eboo Patel | March 30, 2007; 09:17 AM ET | Comments (60)
Discrimination Against Muslims
Is there any greater violation of the American spirit and the human ethic than to spit on the heritage that somebody considers precious?
By Eboo Patel | March 20, 2007; 09:41 AM ET | Comments (267)
Pointing Fingers, or Pointing Forward
My faith – in Islam, in history, in humanity – teaches me that there is a different script, guided by the question, “How do we speak and act in a way that promotes the freedom, safety and dignity of all people?”
By Eboo Patel | February 25, 2007; 12:42 PM ET | Comments (68)
