Results of group work: Wednesday, 02 April, 2008

Questions:
1) What questions do Christians ask Muslims normally at their encounters?
2) What questions do Muslims ask Christians normally at their encounters?
3) How can we deal with these questions and answer them?

Group 1
To question 1
We remain polite with one another but the media ask more directly whether suicidal killings are a true Muslim way.
And we ask why the Muslims fight among themselves, e.g. Palestinian fanatics?

To question 2
Common questions: Sister, is one of the Fathers your husband? How can the three (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) be one God?

Fanatics disturb mutual services in East Timor but there is mutual acceptance in Flores.
In Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, Muslims aim to improve the image of Muslims. Moderate Muslims call themselves “radical” because of keeping the five pillars of Islam. They wish to do away with the practice of domestic violence, beating of wives and brutality; doing away with extremism. They stress a better education.

How do you reconcile the search for peace with the phenomenon of violence?
JPIC ministry in Indonesia/Timor is difficult and dangerous. You might end up in prison.
Social issues should unite religions but they not always do it.
The NGO “Frontline” from Ireland - coming out of AI - talks about peace between people without referring to religion, God and prayer easily. But when I participant – in the case mentioned – a Muslim did that way he was applauded. We should not hide our religiosity.
Human rights can be pursued as a witness to our believe in values (human and Christian).
Some of our human societies (African, Indonesian) practice prayers in public easily; Europeans do that in church or privately (only): secular society!
We talked about the difficulties migrants encounter when wishing to enter Germany.
In each of us there should be: openness, tolerance and respect for each other.


Group 2
To question 1
Most of the questions are practical in nature that is based on personal experiences of the participants.
- Why do Muslim women cover their heads?
- Why is there such a thing as taking revenge when a family especially a daughter is dishonoured?
- Why is there use of violence?
- What are the differences in religious practice of the Muslims in different countries – Morocco, Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Somalia?
- How do you see sexuality? Why is it wrong to discuss sexuality in the presence of boys and girls?
- Why have women a lower status than men?
- What is the role of religion in the state? Separation between Islam and state?

To question 2
- Why do we have to shake hands with men?
- Why the use of sacramentals like statues, rosaries etc.?

To question 3
- Very important is to show openness, tolerance, respect and understanding towards them.


Group 3
To question 1
Questions from Christians to Moslems:
Ø Why are there so many limitations concerning for example expression of our faith when we come to predominantly Moslem countries (for example we are not allowed to bring along a bible, to worship freely…)?
Ø Why are they not ready to talk about their religion and their God?
Ø Why do they associate us – Christians- with the government and think we are influencing the state decisions?
Ø Why do they need “to be in charge“ when they become majority? Is the violence based on Koran?
Ø Why are the Moslem men allowed to have 4 wives and a woman is not allowed to have 4 husbands?

To question 2
Questions from Moslems to Christians:
- Why are they not given church yards to burry their loved ones?
- Why are they not allowed to do loudly their call for prayer?
- Why were the Christians violent in the past?
- Why do we recognize the marriage of homosexuals?
- Why do we not accept Mohammad as a prophet?