Issue 56 (October - December 2006)

Pope Benedict’s unfortunate speech has offended Muslims all over the world. The offensive words quoted by the Pope do not sound like they simply slipped through his lips-although we cannot read his heart-but they are certainly not the kind of statements a dialogue activist would utter. Many have qu…

We are experiencing an intense fervor of recovery and revival. If a wind of opposition does not hinder us, the coming years will be our “years of becoming.” However, there are differences in methods of recovery and revival. There has been a difficulty in arriving at a mutual agreement as to which m…

St Augustine’s confession expresses the situation most people experience after contemplating the nature of time. Time has puzzled many philosophers. Zeno, Avicenna and St. Augustine even questioned its existence. They claimed that physical time does not exist and has a subjective presence only in o…

Samuel Huntington first published his article “The Clash of Civilizations?” in 1993. Later, in 1996 he published “The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order,” giving a more detailed and broader explanation of his theory and providing more cases to support his argument. Debates among…

It’s been a long and tough life. The days of the earth when it was still so hot, the day when humanity was created, and the day you, humans, invented fire… I witnessed them all. Though you may not know me, I know you people very well. Let me continue my story, then you’ll know who I am. That day, a…

The first revelation Muhammad ever received from God was “Read!” (Ali 1672). That was a fitting command for the final prophet of Islam to receive, commanding him to take an action. Taking action would be important for a religion that would soon be largely centered on doing deeds to emphasize faith…

The Second Aim of the Thirtieth Word in the Risale-i Nur collection accurately describes the true meaning that lies behind the creation and the reason for the creation of particles which constitutes all physical beings and make them function. The Absolute Power, indeed, instantly and continuously c…

The Muslim-Christian meetings that are organized in an effort to find a common ground between the two faiths usually focus on a few points that are essential to both parties. The dialogue meetings are always concluded with glowing compliments and positive remarks, yet without much success in convey…

The one missing from the heart No one else, you, the candidly expected A voice unreserved, sentimental Nourishing sermons forever in memories The sublime pundit, Within an exalted sound You left us an earnest legacy More than a touching discourse Guiding the devout minds Into soulful since…

This article can be considered as a brief survey of the order in nature carried out through understanding the world around us. The beauty and esthetics that we all see around us are obvious proof of the art inserted in nature. Less obvious may be the extreme complexity in the magnificent order, whi…

How is it that the fingerprints of children disappear in 24 hours while those of adults remain for longer periods? * How do we leave traces of ourselves everywhere we touch with hardly visible fingerprints? * Methods used for fingerprint identification… * The signature we always carry with us: O…

Teachers are entrusted with the jewels of life: Our children. Sometimes teachers may be overwhelmed with this very important task. The teacher-student relationship, or rapport, is the most important factor contributing to effective teaching. How a teacher portrays him/herself or is perceived by th…

God Almighty declares that killing an innocent person unjustly is like killing all of mankind and saving a person’s life is like saving all of mankind. Could you please explain this? In the preceding verse of the Qur’an (Maida 5:32), God Almighty commands the Prophet “Narrate to them (O Messenger)…