Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon, I have been asked lots of questions about religion.  "Are all
religions the same?"  "Is the God of Islam, Judaism and Christianity the
same God?"  "What do Muslims believe?"  "Is the Israel/Palestine issue the
heart of the problem in the Middle East?"  "Is the world coming to an end?"
        Here's a list of resources I've found helpful in thinking through some of
those questions:
        -- The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) resource catalog offers scores of
excellent, thoughtful videos that are geared to families and churches.
Videos cover issues about conflict and reconciliation, racism, religion,
and social awareness. Recently, I watched "Faith and Belief: Five Major
World Religions," "The Five Pillars of Islam," and "Towards Understanding
Islam: A Perspective for Christians."  To get a copy of the MCC catalog or
to reserve videos, call toll-free (888) 563-4676.  You actually borrow the
videos.  You pay only the return postage.
        -- World Vision's MARC publications have resources for those interested in
knowing more about Islam from a Christian Perspective.  I highly recommend
"Muslims and Christians on the Emmaus Road," by J. Dudley Woodberry, "The
Unseen Face of Islam," by Bill Musk and "Ishmael my Brother," by Anne
Cooper.
        Cooper's book is an excellent study that shows how both Christians and
Muslims look back to Abraham as father.  While in no way minimizing the
deep doctrinal differences between Christianity and Islam, Cooper's book
tries to dispel some of the barriers and prejudices that negate the
fostering of personal relationships between Muslims and Christians.
        To order these books or get a fall 2001 catalog, call MARC publications at
(800) 777-7752.
        -- North Park University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies has some
terrific resources for those wanting to get a better handle on politics and
religion in the Middle East.  I like "Anxious for Armageddon -- A Call to
Partnership for Middle Eastern and Western Christians," by Don Wagner,
"Peace or Armageddon?" by Dan O'Neill and Don Wagner and "Whose Promised
Land -- Israel or Palestine?" by Colin Chapman.
        Chapman especially is artful and fair in dealing with two different
peoples (Jews and Palestinian Arabs) who lay claim to the same piece of
land for different reasons.  But he also understands that we're dealing
with three of the world's religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), each
of which has its own way of interpreting the significance of the land.
Chapman insists that questions of religion are bound up today with
questions about human rights, the survival and identity of the Jewish
people, the political goals of many Muslims, and the security of a major
source of the world's oil supplies.
        Don Wagner (dwagner@northpark.edu) of the North Park Center for Middle
Eastern Studies eagerly helped me with the books I wanted and will gladly
point you to the resources they have if you will email him.
        -- A readable text on Islam is Frederick Denny's "An Introduction to
Islam," (Macmillan Publishing Co., 1994).  You can get a copy at the Illini
Union bookstore.  Over the years, I've read Denny's book twice.  I
especially like Denny's explanation of religion and common life in the
pre-Islamic Near East.
        -- I've been asked if one can go to the Mosque on Lincoln Ave. in Urbana
and get information about Islam directly from the Imam, Dr. Mujahid
Al-Fayadh.  The answer is yes.  Dr. Al-Fayadh is a warm and friendly man,
and you'll find going into the Mosque very interesting.  Call the Imam at
the Mosque (344-1555), especially in the afternoon, or email him
(cimic@prairienet.org).  You enter the Mosque parking lot from Busey Ave.
in Urbana.
        -- Twin City Bible Church in Urbana is about 8 blocks south of the Mosque
on the northeast corner of Lincoln and Michigan.  On Saturday, November 3,
the church will sponsor a 9 am-4 pm seminar presented by Arab International
Ministry, an inter-denominational Christian organization.  While you'll
definitely get information from a Muslim viewpoint at the Mosque, at the
Nov. 3 church seminar the information will center on sharing Christianity
with Muslim friends.  To get more information or register for the seminar
call 344-0641.
        -- In the last month, the best news magazine explanation of the recent
history of the Middle East I've seen is the cover story of the Oct. 15
edition of Newsweek.  International editor Fareed Zakaria, who wrote the
piece, grew up in India in a secular Muslim Family.  His excellent piece
aptly explores the complexities of America's relationship with Islamic
country.

Don Follis is an Urbana minister.  Reprinted with permission from the
Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, copyright 2001.