. . . Tells Cleveland Catholics What We Should Know About Islam
Addressing the First Friday Club of Clevland, the downtown Catholic organization which meets monthly to hear speakers on topics related to Catholicism, John Carroll University Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Dr. Zeki Saritoprak said "we all believe in the same God."
Dr. Saritoprak says the Koran and Islam recognize the Old Testament and the Gospels as works of the prophets. He said Muslims believe there is but one God with the common message to obey God. Muhammad is the one messenger of God, but the other prophets are also recognized.
Click PLAY to watch clip about Mary's Place in Islam
Click PLAY to watch clip about Jihad Although Muslims do not recognize the divinity of Jesus Christ, he is considered one of the "stars" of humanity. Also, the Blessed Virgin Mary is the only woman referenced in the Koran and Islam achnowledges her role (video to the right).
Dr. Saritoprak also explaned the meaning of the word "Jihad" as it pertains to Islam (2nd video to the right).
He explained that the writings of the Koran cannot be changed, but individuals can apply their own interpretations.
Click HERE to watch the entire lecture.
About Dr. Zeki Saritoprak
Dr. Saritoprak has held the Nursi Chair in Islamic Studies at John Carroll University since 2003. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Marmara in Turkey for a dissertation that looked at the personification of evil in Islam entitled The Antichrist (al-Dajjal). Dr. Saritoprak has taught and conducted research at Harran University in Turkey, Georgetown University, the Catholic University of America, and Berry College in Rome, Georgia. He is the founder and former president of the Rumi Forum for Interfaith Dialogue in Washington, D.C.
He is the author of more than thirty academic articles and encyclopedia entries on topics in Islam. He has served as guest editor for issues of the journals Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations and the Muslim World. He is editor and co-translator of Fundamentals of Rumi's Thought: A Mevlevi Sufi Perspective (in English; New Jersey: The Light, 2004); editor of a critical edition of al-Sarakhsi's Sifat Ashrat al-Sa'a (in Arabic; Cairo, 1993); and author of Al-Dajjal in Islamic Theology (in Turkish; Istanbul, 1992). His most recent book Islam's Jesus is scheduled to be released by the University Press of Florida in May 2014. He is currently preparing a book on Islamic spirituality tentatively titled Islamic Spirituality: Theology and Practice for the Modern World.
The First Friday Club of Cleveland luncheons are held monthly at The City of Cleveland, 850 Euclid Avenue, 2nd Floor, Cleveland, OH.
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