Christian–Muslim Relations in Syria

Description

Offering an authoritative study of the plural religious landscape in modern Syria and of the diverse Christian and Muslim communities that have cohabited the country for centuries, this volume considers a wide range of cultural, religious and political issues that have impacted the interreligious dynamic, putting them in their local and wider context. Combining fieldwork undertaken within government-held areas during the Syrian conflict with critical historical and Christian theological reflection, this research makes a significant contribution to understanding Syria’s diverse religious landscape and the multi-layered expressions of Christian-Muslim relations. It discusses the concept of sectarianism and how communal dynamics are crucial to understanding Syrian society. The complex wider issues that underlie the relationship are examined, including the roles of culture and religious leadership; and it questions whether the analytical concept of sectarianism is adequate to describe the complex communal frameworks in the Middle Eastern context. Finally, the study examines the contributions of contemporary Eastern Christian leaders to interreligious discourse, concluding that the theology and spirituality of Eastern Christianity, inhabiting the same cultural environment as Islam, is uniquely placed to play a major role in interreligious dialogue and in peace-making. The book offers an original contribution to knowledge and understanding of the changing Christian-Muslim dynamic in Syria and the region. It should be a key resource to students, scholars and readers interested in religion, current affairs and the Middle East. Cover Endorsement Page Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Foreword by His Holiness, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Themes arising in the study Methodology A historical background to Christian–Muslim engagement in the Middle East The modern era and its impact on Islamic thought since the 19th century The challenge to Christian–Muslim relations today Understanding the current context The framework for this study Notes Bibliography Chapter 1 Christianity in Syria: The Ecclesiastical Mosaic 1.1 Introduction 1.2 A brief survey of the five “families” of Christian denominations in Syria 1.3 The early centuries 1.4 Encounter with Islam 1.5 Christianity under the Ottomans 1.6 The 20th century onwards 1.7 Ecumenical developments and recent challenges 1.8 Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 2 Islam in Syria: The Muslim Mosaic 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Islamic reform movements: Salafism and the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood 2.3 Other factors affecting the Islamic “landscape” 2.4 The Alawi 2.5 The Shi’a “Twelvers” 2.6 Isma’iliyya 2.7 The Druze 2.8 The Sufiyya 2.9 The Sunni 2.10 Wahhabism 2.11 Recent developments in Sunni Islam in Syria 2.12 Interpreting Jihad 2.13 Preserving pluralism: Ministry of Awqaf and publications for combatting terrorism 2.14 Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 3 Cultural Contexts that Influence Christian–Muslim Relations 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Exploring the status of the Christian presence in the Arab world 3.3 The role and influence of leadership in the Middle Eastern context 3.4 Religious leadership in Lebanon: religion and politics in the Levant 3.5 Does “sectarianism” play a role in Syrian society? 3.6 Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 4 Christian–Muslim Relations in Syria 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Some developments in dialogue 4.3 Praxis of Christian–Muslim relations in Syria: prior to and during the conflict 4.4 Maaloula 4.5 Aleppo 4.6 Sadad 4.7 Conclusion Notes Bibliography Chapter 5 Eastern Christian Approaches to Christian–Muslim Engagement in Syria 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Early engagement with Islam 5.3 The 20th century and beyond 5.4 Georges Khodr (b. 1923) 5.5 A Melkite contribution: Patriarch Gregorios III Laham (b. 1933) and Jean-Clement Jeanbart (b. 1943) 5.6 His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church (b. 1965) 5.7 Antoine Audo (b. 1946) 5.8 Fr. Paolo Dall’Oglio. SJ (b. 1954) 5.9 The Protestant and Evangelical Churches 5.10 Conclusion Notes Bibliography Conclusion Notes Bibliography Appendix: Questionnaire analysis of Syrian perspectives on Christian–Muslim relations Glossary Index