The confluence of Lent and Ramadan occurs as bigotry and discrimination against American Muslims are once again surging.
Jordan Denari Duffner
Jordan Denari Duffner, PhD, is a theologian and scholar of Muslim-Christian relations and interfaith dialogue. She is the author of Finding Jesus among Muslims and Islamophobia: What Christians Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination. She is also a member of Churches for Middle East Peace’s Catholic Advisory Council, and serves on the National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
American Catholics can’t look away from violence and death in Gaza
In processing the extent of the suffering, it is helpful to recall the foundational principle of our Catholic social teaching—that everyone possesses inherent dignity and the God-given right not just to survive, but to live well.
Posted inFaith and Reason, Politics & Society
What should Catholics think about Gaza, Israel and Palestine? Catholic social teaching has answers.
Ultimately, it is up to each of us to prayerfully discern the individual contribution we can make. Guided by our faith and Catholic social teaching, we can do our part to support a just peace in Israel-Palestine.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
5 lessons from Pope Francis’ commitment to Muslim-Catholic dialogue
Pope Francis set a goal early in his pontificate to have dialogue with various religions, especially Islam, and from his many gestures and encounters with Muslims, some profound lessons emerge.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Adam is known for humanity’s first sin. Here’s why I named my son after him anyway.
As a doctoral student in theology studying Islam and Christianity, I have come across portrayals of Adam that are quite different from the one many Catholics know.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Why I brought my family to a mosque after Sunday Mass
Truth and beauty can be found outside the walls of church, in a space that belongs to those who worship differently.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: An accurate look at Muslim beliefs
Two timely texts can help elevate our thinking and improve the ways we relate to our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Reading Islam’s holy book
In What the Qur’an Meant and Why It Matters, Garry Wills offers what he hopes can be a remedy to this fear: an invitation to pick up the Quran and read it, as he has done.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
After Trump’s Saudi speech, don’t forget his connections to Islamophobia
Until now, Islamophobia has been a cornerstone of the Trump presidency, and we should look for more than a momentary shift in rhetoric as evidence for meaningful change.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
What Catholics owe their Muslim brothers and sisters
It should not be difficult for Catholics to acknowledge the reality of Islamophobia.