The Faith Divide Archive by Category - On Faith at washingtonpost.com

America testifies

By Eboo Patel and Samantha Kirby. We know why Rep. Keith Ellison cried during yesterday's King hearings. He cried because an American hero, Salman Hamdani, was suspected as a terrorist because of the simple fact of his faith. Hamdani was...

By Eboo Patel | March 11, 2011; 08:09 AM ET | Comments (7)

Peter King's hearings: Muslims stand united for a secure America

I wish people were more familiar with the name Salman Hamdani than the name Faisal Shehzad. Salman Hamdan was a first responder on Sep 11, 2001 and gave his life to save his fellow Americans.

By Eboo Patel | March 7, 2011; 02:03 PM ET | Comments (9)

John Galliano and Orange County protests: what motivates religious hate?

Galliano was drunk. The only fluid we know for sure that motivated the protesters in Yorba Linda was hate.

By Eboo Patel | March 4, 2011; 03:41 PM ET | Comments (130)

Shahbaz Bhatti assassinated: murder is not prophetic

It is staggering to see extremists who call themselves Muslims brazenly defy this very clear tradition of the Prophet they claim to follow.

By Eboo Patel | March 2, 2011; 12:15 PM ET | Comments (16)

From Egypt to America: a new age of idealism

Every successful movement today has a secret history of steps taken yesterday - steps, like the Egypt 2005 protests, that are routinely dubbed failures when they occurred.

By Eboo Patel | February 21, 2011; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (7)

From 9/11 to January 25th

9/11 is no longer the date that defines Islam for the world. January 25 gets that honor now.

By Eboo Patel | February 14, 2011; 11:56 AM ET | Comments (10)

From Selma to Montgomery; From Alexandria to Cairo

I can imagine Dr. King, at the age of 30, marching with the youth from Alexandria to Cairo, as he did from Selma to Montgomery singing, "We shall overcome!"

By Eboo Patel | February 4, 2011; 02:04 PM ET | Comments (4)

Mr. President, seize this moment

Mr. President, the people on the Arab streets have heard your call and responded. Egyptians on the streets of Alexandria, Suez and Cairo are willing to risk their lives because they trust you will do the right thing.

By Eboo Patel | January 31, 2011; 12:20 PM ET | Comments (8)

(Photos): Egypt, Tunisia and the youth revolt in the Middle East

What we are seeing now in the Middle East is a generation of young people who learned how to love themselves, believe in themselves, change themselves.

By Eboo Patel | January 27, 2011; 05:10 PM ET | Comments (11)

An open letter to my Christian friends

Today's guest blogger is Peter Hong, who pastors New Community Covenant Church, a series of urban, multiethnic churches in the heart of Chicago. Made up of people from all walks of life, New Community is passionate about bringing shalom, God's...

By Eboo Patel | January 14, 2011; 01:52 PM ET | Comments (41)

Obama's American gospel

Obama showed that he could do American Gospel as a candidate. In Tucson, he showed he could do it as president.

By Eboo Patel | January 13, 2011; 09:23 AM ET | Comments (16)

Evangelical Christian students: interfaith work is Christ's work

Interfaith engagement has given us new ways to think about evangelism - though perhaps not in the ways most evangelicals would find familiar.

By Eboo Patel | January 11, 2011; 05:34 PM ET | Comments (0)

Ambassadors for Christ in an interfaith world

From the evangelical perspective, "interfaith" has often been used as a code word for "relativism."

By Eboo Patel | January 10, 2011; 09:35 AM ET | Comments (7)

How can Muslims and evangelicals work together?

Despite years of interfaith talks, religious leaders acknowledge they have very little to show for it. Maybe we need less talk and more action.

By Eboo Patel | January 4, 2011; 10:46 AM ET | Comments (8)

Peter King's Muslim hearings

It appears that a small number of young Muslim men are sitting in basements watching and reading twisted material online that tells them to kill others.

By Eboo Patel | December 22, 2010; 12:45 PM ET | Comments (210)

After a summer of intolerance, LA leads the way

The city council just passed a resolution to promote religious pluralism throughout the city. Yes, it's symbolic, but it matters.

By Eboo Patel | December 16, 2010; 04:48 PM ET | Comments (14)

Immigrant dreams and the DREAM Act

In an act of daring faith and unrequited love, my parents decided to leave behind all that was dear to them for the future of their family and left for America.

By Eboo Patel | December 6, 2010; 09:24 AM ET | Comments (5)

Searching for the American DREAM

For the kids caught in the middle of immigration battles, faith endures.

By Eboo Patel | December 2, 2010; 06:10 PM ET | Comments (1)

For American Muslims, a year of living dangerously

Farhana Khera: 2010 has been one of the most difficult and fearful years on record for many American Muslims, surpassing even those dark days following the tragedy of 9-11.

By Eboo Patel | December 2, 2010; 09:24 AM ET | Comments (66)

What motivated Portland 'Christmas tree bomber'?

If Muslim leaders don't offer an understanding of Islam that inspires young people to be bridges of cooperation, we forfeit them into the arms of those waiting to make them bombs of destruction.

By Eboo Patel | November 30, 2010; 04:36 PM ET | Comments (15)

Making the Internet moral

Pope Benedict XVI recently said that the Internet was "numbing" for young people. Benedict's comments created an uproar, but he has a point. Studies show that Internet addiction is linked to depression.

By Eboo Patel | November 23, 2010; 05:43 PM ET | Comments (1)

From fearing Islam to loving Muslims

Instead of asking 'How is my faith right and your faith wrong?' It asks, 'How does your faith inspire you to serve others and what in my faith inspires me to work with you on that?'

By Eboo Patel | November 17, 2010; 03:07 PM ET | Comments (32)

Talking the 'Hereafter' with atheists and believers

Nicholas Lang: Whether we were discussing Heaven or a "fluffy Soul Cloud in the sky," we were articulating the same needs in our lives: the need for purpose, for community, for connectedness.

By Eboo Patel | November 16, 2010; 12:32 PM ET | Comments (23)

Communities of faith and our ecological crisis

Is the goal of humanity to control and dominate nature or is it to leave the Earth better than we found it?

By Eboo Patel | November 15, 2010; 03:14 PM ET | Comments (2)

Islam, Judaism and the threat of terrorism

Although we know now that the bombs were meant for the cargo planes, the fact that these bombs were addressed to Chicago area synagogues may tend to reinforce the notion in the minds of many people - and that includes some Muslims as well - that there is, somehow, an innate enmity between Judaism and Islam.

By Eboo Patel | November 3, 2010; 05:04 PM ET | Comments (67)

In America, better together

Last month, Zach Jordan, a senior at Elon University, found himself aghast at what he was hearing in the media about Muslims. But instead of just turning off the television or even yelling at it, Zach took what sociologists Bob Putnam and David Campbell tell us is amongst the most effective steps at increasing religious tolerance: He created a space for people from different religious backgrounds to have a positive, meaningful encounter with each other.

By Eboo Patel | November 1, 2010; 05:53 PM ET | Comments (14)

Tipping the scale in DC

Last week, 200 undergraduate students and 100 staff allies gathered in Washington, D.C. for Interfaith Youth Core's inaugural Interfaith Leadership Institute. For some, the Interfaith Leadership Institute serves as one of the few safe spaces where they were free to express their full religious and non-religious identities.

By Eboo Patel | October 29, 2010; 09:22 AM ET | Comments (6)

Let's not be like Juan

Williams was given a high profile platform to say, "It's ok to be suspicious of an entire religious group because of the actions of a handful of extremists." This is a poisonous attitude - one that mainstream media shouldn't validate.

By Eboo Patel | October 22, 2010; 09:54 AM ET | Comments (34)

LGBTQ find unexpected hope

News of the suicide of yet another LGBTQ youth in the U.S., is the latest in a rash that has brought to light the exclusion and violence that continues to plague those marked "different."

By Eboo Patel | October 19, 2010; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (2)

Ayodhya verdict demands forward-looking focus

Abhishek Raman: What is needed in India in the aftermath of the Ayodhya verdict is not a denial of reality but a commitment to interfaith cooperation from all sections of the society.

By Eboo Patel | October 11, 2010; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (2)

Million Muslim march on the mall?

Khizer Husain: Political commentators assert that Muslims have not been vocal and visible enough to show their love of American ideals and disgust for violence in the name of their religion. But will a National Mall rally with Muslim women in star-spangled hijabs and toddlers hoisting placards with patriotic themes do the trick?

By Eboo Patel | October 8, 2010; 09:54 AM ET | Comments (39)

Nine years after 9/11, a debate about Islam

The problem of the 20th century, said W.E.B. DuBois, was the problem of the color line. The challenge of the 21st century is the faith line.

By Eboo Patel | October 4, 2010; 12:06 PM ET | Comments (39)

The artist formerly known as Molly Norris

Last week the atheist blogosphere lit up with reports that Molly Norris, the Seattle cartoonist who inadvertently inspired "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day" (EDMD), had been forced to change her identity and go into hiding due to death threats she received from extremists.

By Eboo Patel | September 21, 2010; 03:28 PM ET | Comments (39)

Intolerance and Islam since 9/11

The message of intolerance is simple: "Us vs. Them" is "Americans against Muslims." What we need now is a concerted "Love All Your Neighbors" campaign. Because, as Theodore McCarrick, Cardinal Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Washington, said "America was not built on hate."

By Eboo Patel | September 9, 2010; 04:25 PM ET | Comments (36)

Beck vs. King

King's views about God's plan and Beck's views - or at least the views of many of his invited speakers - have sharp differences.

By Eboo Patel | September 1, 2010; 07:10 PM ET | Comments (18)

America's promise meant for everyone

American history is an arc toward freedom, dignity and inclusiveness for all. That will include Muslims, sooner or later.

By Eboo Patel | August 23, 2010; 10:36 AM ET | Comments (47)

We need George Bush

for President Bush, the entire religion of Islam was not synonymous with extremism and Muslims were not Nazis.

By Eboo Patel | August 18, 2010; 09:29 AM ET | Comments (28)

Why I support the mosque in Manhattan

We Christians - and Jews too - should enthusiastically support Muslims in their desire to build a center devoted to peaceful religion near the site of an atrocity committed in the name of violent religion.

By Eboo Patel | July 30, 2010; 02:14 PM ET | Comments (18)

'Un-Christ-like' intolerance of Cordoba House

Fear is being used to foment anger and political zealotry. Somehow we are to believe that the construction of a 15-story Islamic community center in New York City will be a tipping point leading to the decline of American civilization, the dissolution of Christian faith, and the reversal of hundreds of years of western legal precedent.

By Eboo Patel | July 29, 2010; 02:08 PM ET | Comments (35)

Evangelicals to weigh in on Cordoba House

I've asked to ask several Evangelical leaders to offer their thoughts on the planned Muslim Community Ceter in lower Manhattan here on "The Faith Divide." Over the next couple of weeks or so starting tomorrow, I'll be publishing commentary from a range of prominent Evangelicals.

By Eboo Patel | July 25, 2010; 10:41 PM ET | Comments (3)

Shared faith in the earth

A Christian and Secular Humanist disagree on the afterlife, but agree that life on earth demands environmental protection now.

By Eboo Patel | July 8, 2010; 08:19 AM ET | Comments (2)

Repairing the world

Jewish group shows me that part of being a Muslim, Evangelical, Catholic, citizen, etc., is serving together.

By Eboo Patel | June 30, 2010; 03:18 PM ET | Comments (3)

To the Class of 2010

Why can't this generation make interfaith cooperation a social norm?

By Eboo Patel | June 14, 2010; 12:18 PM ET | Comments (10)

Drawing Muhammad respectfully

Anyone has a right to 'draw Muhammad,' but we all have a responsibility to be respectful of other religious beliefs and sensitivities.

By Eboo Patel | May 20, 2010; 10:31 AM ET | Comments (22)

Arizona's network of mutuality

Welcoming the immigrant stranger not only enriches our lives, but builds a stronger, healthier America.

By Eboo Patel | May 18, 2010; 01:17 PM ET | Comments (0)

A blessing from the Dalai Lama

The Buddhist-Muslim dialogue affirms how faith communities can differ in theology but come together on shared values.

By Eboo Patel | May 17, 2010; 12:30 PM ET | Comments (16)

Catholic church bashing, and boosting

Catholic Church bashing has long been a sport that seems to play well to a media appetite and larger societal thirst to bring the institutional Church to its knees and shove it off its perceived pedestal.

By Eboo Patel | May 12, 2010; 07:29 PM ET | Comments (13)

Free speech or foul behavior?

Are students who 'Draw Muhammad' with chalk defending free speech or just being unnecessarily divisive?

By Eboo Patel | May 10, 2010; 04:13 PM ET | Comments (78)

The new interfaith theologians

Young people on the forefront of the interfaith movement today know themselves as the new theologians - and the academics, preachers and teachers - of faith in a diverse world.

By Eboo Patel | April 27, 2010; 05:26 PM ET | Comments (0)

The end of malaria

Young people are leading interfaith efforts to reduce and eradicate malaria.

By Eboo Patel | April 26, 2010; 09:10 AM ET | Comments (3)

Paducah goes to India

Young people like Greer in Paducah are encountering diversity with dramatically greater frequency than ever before.

By Eboo Patel | April 16, 2010; 04:32 PM ET | Comments (11)

Beyond aggressive atheism

Atheists and secular humanists are partnering with religious groups to do service projects and engage in civil discussions.

By Eboo Patel | April 13, 2010; 05:19 PM ET | Comments (25)

The new wannabee jihadis

New Muslim extemists really aren't; they're just gangsta wannabees posing as jihadis.

By Eboo Patel | April 9, 2010; 09:02 AM ET | Comments (11)

The new identity politics of religion

How should people of faith respond to today's divisive identity politics?

By Eboo Patel | April 5, 2010; 11:51 AM ET | Comments (8)

Obama and his faith council

Obama's vision of the good society includes groups from various faith and secular backgrounds working together.

By Eboo Patel | March 18, 2010; 11:32 AM ET | Comments (14)

Faith Council's final meeting

Obama's faith council modeled how people who disagree strongly on issues can seek and find common ground.

By Eboo Patel | March 10, 2010; 07:28 AM ET | Comments (3)

Van Jones, faith hero

How Van Jones responded to Glenn Beck and his other tormentors is a lesson in grace to all people of faith.

By Eboo Patel | March 5, 2010; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (49)

The beloved interfaith community

After a mosque was vandalized in Nashville, interfaith group of students pitched in to help clean up.

By Eboo Patel | March 3, 2010; 09:27 AM ET | Comments (11)

The (religious) textbook wars

We can teach religion in schools in a way that shows how we value religious freedom, tolerance and interfaith cooperation.

By Eboo Patel | February 19, 2010; 09:50 AM ET | Comments (41)

Stanford standing united

When a group of anti-Semitic extremists came to Stanford, students across all faiths stood together to resist.

By Eboo Patel | February 10, 2010; 12:42 PM ET | Comments (19)

Osama bin Laden and the Dalai Lama

Americans know as little about Buddhism as we do about Islam. So why do we feel more affinity toward Buddhists?

By Eboo Patel | February 5, 2010; 11:17 AM ET | Comments (264)

An iPhone app for the modern Muslim

Market for MeccaLocator, new iPhone app, is the rising Muslim middle class, who cherish their faith and their Facebook pages.

By Eboo Patel | January 29, 2010; 09:39 AM ET | Comments (15)

Jim Wallis's moral vision

As Wallis points out, Wall Street bonuses are a symptom of a larger problem: the erosion of underlying values.

By Eboo Patel | January 22, 2010; 08:56 AM ET | Comments (0)

Evangelicals for pluralism

If evangelicals bridge the faith divide, the 21st century could be one of interfaith cooperation rather than conflict.

By Eboo Patel | January 13, 2010; 05:22 PM ET | Comments (13)

Interfaith down under

What if it just made sense that as a Christian, I live out my commitment by working with non-Christians?

By Eboo Patel | December 8, 2009; 06:05 PM ET | Comments (0)

Obama redefines the struggle

There was no talk of "Islamic terrorism" or "Islamofascism". Obama did not give murderers a religious label.

By Eboo Patel | December 2, 2009; 09:30 AM ET | Comments (46)

Scenes from a State Dinner

Colin and Alma Powell continue to inspire with their service to America.

By Eboo Patel | November 25, 2009; 10:54 AM ET | Comments (2)

Going McCarthy

Homophobia, anti-Semitism, and racism must never go unchecked. The same is true for Islamophobia.

By Eboo Patel | November 17, 2009; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (1)

Examining us examining Hasan

Why did some people seem to hope that the Fort Hood shooter would turn out to be Muslim?

By Eboo Patel | November 16, 2009; 11:48 AM ET | Comments (14)

Need for a Muslim-Jewish alliance

Actions of Madoff, Hasan inflamed Jewish and Muslim defamers. Time for both groups to work together against hate.

By Eboo Patel | November 9, 2009; 04:01 PM ET | Comments (4)

The murderer at Fort Hood

A Muslim did not do this. The man who killed brave American soldiers deserves one name only: murderer.

By Eboo Patel | November 6, 2009; 11:16 AM ET | Comments (361)

Ethical leadership in Jerusalem

Where is Arab Muslim leadership for peace in the Middle East? Meet Forsan Hussein, CEO of Jerusalem International YMCA .

By Eboo Patel | October 23, 2009; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (20)

The President's faith council meets

What if every community had a religiously diverse faith council? What a powerful model of cooperation.

By Eboo Patel | October 14, 2009; 09:49 AM ET | Comments (8)

Many Faiths, One Night in Bethesda

Do you know how your religious tradition speaks to serving others? To diversity? I posed this question to a full sanctuary on Tuesday night.

By Eboo Patel | October 7, 2009; 04:49 PM ET | Comments (3)

Realizing the (Muslim) American Dream

Last week, I attended the swearing-in ceremony of Farah Pandith as special representative to Muslim communities at the State Department, the first position of its kind.

By Eboo Patel | September 21, 2009; 06:37 AM ET | Comments (0)

Van Jones, Patriot

The administration lost a brilliant mind who worked tirelessly to "get the greenest solutions to the poorest people."

By Eboo Patel | September 7, 2009; 08:30 PM ET | Comments (177)

Interfaith Solidarity During Ramadan

Christians are joining Muslims to fast during Ramadan. A sign of the times?

By Eboo Patel | August 28, 2009; 09:23 AM ET | Comments (47)

United We Serve in the Midst of the Storm

Today's guest blogger is Meghan Paul-Cook, the Congregational Organizer with the Saint Paul Area Council of Churches. As a tornado touched down just a few city blocks away, a humble group gathered in the safest place we could be, deep...

By Eboo Patel | August 26, 2009; 05:23 PM ET | Comments (0)

Battle for Muslim Hearts and Minds

If the Taliban builds schools that teach hatred and violence, we must help build schools that teach tolerance and peace.

By Eboo Patel | August 14, 2009; 09:25 AM ET | Comments (40)

The Perfect Game

Mark Buehrle's masterpiece reminds us of the importance of teamwork -- in our case interfaith teamwork.

By Eboo Patel | July 24, 2009; 10:59 AM ET | Comments (2)

What's at Stake in Afghanistan

What is America's moral responsibility in Afghanistan? To go after terrorists or help little girls go to school?

By Eboo Patel | July 20, 2009; 10:47 AM ET | Comments (15)

Inspired to Serve

A new book reminds us how the scriptures and stories across faith traditions call us to serve others.

By Eboo Patel | July 14, 2009; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (6)

Riots in China, and Everywhere

Violent responses to protests in Iran, China and elsewhere shows that religious and ethnic pluralism will be resisted.

By Eboo Patel | July 10, 2009; 10:52 AM ET | Comments (17)

Muslim Americans Answer the Call

United We Serve campaign challenges U.S. Muslims to create one thousand service projects.

By Eboo Patel | July 6, 2009; 09:39 AM ET | Comments (12)

Two Forces Shaping Iran

Obama's victory in 2008, death of the Prophet's grandson in 680 -- two events fueling protests in Iran.

By Eboo Patel | June 24, 2009; 09:21 AM ET | Comments (11)

Breaking Down Barriers to Charity

Obama's pledge to facilitate charitable giving is encouraging, but only a first step.

By Eboo Patel | June 17, 2009; 11:29 AM ET | Comments (1)

Obama vs. Ahmadinejad

I hope Obama reaches out to Iran's huge, rising under-30 generation and not just its iron-fisted government.

By Eboo Patel | June 15, 2009; 09:29 AM ET | Comments (15)

Obama, Cairo and Interfaith Service

Obama's speech demonstrated that the interfaith service movement has arrived.

By Eboo Patel | June 8, 2009; 09:26 AM ET | Comments (3)

Obama Draws From King in Cairo

The President did not refer to "Muslim extremists" - just extremists. Hopefully this signals the end of the crazy and counterproductive "Islamo-fascist" talk.

By Eboo Patel | June 4, 2009; 10:17 AM ET | Comments (4)

Obama Speaking to the Whole World

In Cairo, Obama will set the precedent for how diverse peoples and nations should interact in the 21st century.

By Eboo Patel | June 3, 2009; 10:38 AM ET | Comments (2)

Taliban Declare War on Pakistan, Islam, Everyone

Now is the time for the U.S. to declare: "We want to partner with the Pakistani people to defeat extremism."

By Eboo Patel | May 29, 2009; 08:14 AM ET | Comments (44)

Synagogues and Bridges in the Bronx

Plot to bomb synagogues in New York foiled. Meanwhile, the good work of people of good faith goes on.

By Eboo Patel | May 22, 2009; 09:56 AM ET | Comments (19)

The Biggest Vote

The Hindu nationalist platform of the BJP did not have traction with voters.

By Eboo Patel | May 20, 2009; 11:58 AM ET | Comments (3)

Obama a Champion at Notre Dame

Obama's Notre Dame speech was a near perfect demonstration of public leadership in an environment of polarization.

By Eboo Patel | May 18, 2009; 09:45 AM ET | Comments (6)

A Righteous American Muslim

Mian Ashraf exemplified both the Muslim and the American traditions.

By Eboo Patel | May 15, 2009; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (10)

The Fist and the Open Hand

Do we choose the way of Bin Laden or Dr. King? Clenched fists win only if the rest of us keep our hands in our pockets.

By Eboo Patel | May 11, 2009; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (20)

We All Prayed

A crowd of Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Agnostics prayed for peace and for leaders who would work together.

By Eboo Patel | May 8, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (26)

Understanding Our Own Faith First

Rather than discuss the hypocrisy of others, we should look deeper into our own beliefs.

By Eboo Patel | May 6, 2009; 11:47 AM ET | Comments (4)

An Evangelical Open Hand to the Muslim World

One pastor's respectful approach to spreading the gospel in the Muslim world can help us all build bridges

By Eboo Patel | May 4, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (13)

Pakistan's True Enemy (Not India)

The scariest thing for India is no longer a belligerent Pakistani central government, but a non-existent one.

By Eboo Patel | April 27, 2009; 09:59 AM ET | Comments (9)

Faiths Act Against Malaria

Imagine if many diverse faith communities around America joined forces to tackle malaria.

By Eboo Patel | April 24, 2009; 10:06 AM ET | Comments (1)

Checking your faith and politics at the border

Today's guest blogger is Farhana Khera, Executive Director of Muslim Advocates and the National Association of Muslim Lawyers (NAML). Muslim Advocates' mission is to promote equality, liberty, and justice for all by providing leadership through legal advocacy, policy engagement, and...

By Eboo Patel | April 22, 2009; 07:12 PM ET | Comments (1)

There Will Be Generations

A new Holocaust Museum reminds us all of our responsibilities to the past and the future.

By Eboo Patel | April 20, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (4)

Will Work for Meaning

Hope of Obama, toll of economy combining to encourage new college grads to seek meaningful work.

By Eboo Patel | April 17, 2009; 11:11 AM ET | Comments (5)

New Interfaith Vision for Europe

While Wilders and Ali promote fear of Islam, a Dutch minister is pushing Obama-like message of hope in diversity.

By Eboo Patel | April 16, 2009; 12:35 PM ET | Comments (10)

Religion & Violence

Today's guest blogger is Ola Mohamed, a senior Political Science and International Studies double major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ola is also the President of UNC's Muslim Students Association and an '08-'09 Interfaith Youth Core...

By Eboo Patel | April 15, 2009; 03:25 PM ET | Comments (2)

Faith Council Begins Its Work

Tuesday's first gathering of faith leaders showed how Obama has already changed this country.

By Eboo Patel | April 9, 2009; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (17)

The War on "War on Terror"

The Obama administration is working to change the "clash of civilizations" framework by changing its rhetoric.

By Eboo Patel | April 3, 2009; 10:29 AM ET | Comments (208)

The New Christian Interfaith Leaders

Today's guest blogger is Hannah McConnaughay, an Outreach Education and Training Associate at the Interfaith Youth Core. Hannah graduated in June of 2008 from the University of Chicago, where she studied religious studies and economics and was a member of...

By Eboo Patel | April 1, 2009; 02:30 PM ET | Comments (4)

Holy Warriors in National Armies

The disturbing rise of religious nationalism in Christian, Jewish and Muslim security forces.

By Eboo Patel | March 30, 2009; 10:03 AM ET | Comments (27)

Virtual Community of Inter-Religious Leaders: the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue™

Today's guest blogger is Joshua Stanton. Joshua is the co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue™ and a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College. He is the recipient of numerous leadership awards, including the Hyman P. Moldover Scholarship for Communal...

By Eboo Patel | March 25, 2009; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (5)

Counter-Terrorist Storytelling

It's vital for all of us to counter "young Muslim terrorist" stories with "exceptional Muslim youth" stories

By Eboo Patel | March 20, 2009; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (138)

St. Joseph's Day

Today's guest blogger is Erik Schwarz, founder of Interfaith Works, a nonprofit based in New Orleans, Louisiana, that partners with a wide range of faith communities and other organizations around innovative social-change projects. He also co-directs The Institute for Faith...

By Eboo Patel | March 18, 2009; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (0)

"Choose Your Own" Commemoration

Today's guest blogger is Becca Hartman, a Research Associate at the Interfaith Youth Core. Becca originally joined the IFYC as a Public Interest Program Fellow from Northwestern University, where she studied Philosophy and Religion and was active in organizing interfaith...

By Eboo Patel | March 11, 2009; 01:42 PM ET | Comments (0)

India's 'Slumdog' Role Model

The Indian who won two Academy Awards for music shows that Muslim pluralism is flourishing.

By Eboo Patel | March 9, 2009; 10:11 AM ET | Comments (45)

Mumbai Revival

Why did Mumbaikers overwhelmingly view the 2008 terrorist attacks as a case of pluralism vs extremism rather than Hindu vs. Muslim?

By Eboo Patel | March 6, 2009; 10:17 AM ET | Comments (66)

India, the Aspiring Pluralistic Democracy

The world's oldest democracy and its largest democracy should lead the world in interfaith cooperation.

By Eboo Patel | March 5, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (18)

Holding Our Brothers, Fathers, Sons Accountable

From the most conservative traditionalists to Muslim pro-feminists, all along the spectrum there is a growing men's acknowledgment of the corrosive effects of this violence on our communities.

By Eboo Patel | March 2, 2009; 01:33 PM ET | Comments (25)

Geert Wilders on Capitol Hill

Don't deport the anti-Islamic politician, or ban his film. Let's teach him the American value of religious liberty.

By Eboo Patel | February 26, 2009; 08:19 AM ET | Comments (142)

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream in India

The dream of India is the dream of pluralism, the idea of different communities retaining their uniqueness while relating in a way that recognizes they share universal values.

By Eboo Patel | February 23, 2009; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (15)

U.S. Reaching Out to the Muslim World

In his inaugural address, Obama promised the Muslim world that America would extend a hand; I hope what we have seen so far is just the beginning.

By Eboo Patel | February 20, 2009; 09:53 AM ET | Comments (27)

Then They Came for the Bahá'ís

An attack on the Bahá'ís is an attack on all of us who champion the cause of religious pluralism and freedom.

By Eboo Patel | February 18, 2009; 01:17 PM ET | Comments (4)

Defeating Al-Qaeda

Al-Qaeda rises and falls not so much on the actions of its hard-core adherents, but on whether it can bring other Muslims into its fold.

By Eboo Patel | February 16, 2009; 09:15 AM ET | Comments (50)

Lessons From the Land of Lincoln and Obama

As we look back, let's remember the story of unity that the myth of Lincoln teaches us -- the story of unity that Obama stresses time and time again.

By Eboo Patel | February 13, 2009; 10:37 AM ET | Comments (6)

World Leaders and Interfaith Cooperation

We have a former British Prime Minister and a new American President each articulating a vision of interfaith cooperation and building institutions to make good on that vision.

By Eboo Patel | February 9, 2009; 09:57 AM ET | Comments (19)

Why I Joined Obama's Faith Council

President Obama's vision for the faith-based council connects his domestic goals with his foreign policy goal of reaching out to people of all faiths and nations.

By Eboo Patel | February 6, 2009; 10:24 AM ET | Comments (22)

Finding Citizen Change-Makers at Boarding School

Today's guest blogger is Hannah McConnaughay, an Outreach Education and Training Associate at the Interfaith Youth Core. Hannah graduated in June of 2008 from the University of Chicago, where she studied religious studies and economics and was a member of...

By Eboo Patel | February 5, 2009; 02:07 PM ET | Comments (1)

Waiting for the Second Coming of Sadat

Those of us who see no contradiction between being pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian listened for common ground.

By Eboo Patel | February 4, 2009; 02:33 PM ET | Comments (1)

Muslims Speaking Up for Islam and Peace

The report states that such peacemaking efforts are organic to the tradition of Islam itself, and Muslim intellectuals are increasingly articulating these dimensions of Islam both within Muslim circles and beyond them.

By Eboo Patel | February 2, 2009; 12:27 PM ET | Comments (88)

Obama's Patchwork Heritage and Worldview

One of President Obama's key stories has always been about diversity as strength. And his life is the embodiment of that dimension of the American dream.

By Eboo Patel | January 30, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (4)

Hum Honge Kamyab/We Shall Overcome

Today's guest blogger is Jenan Mohajir, a program associate for the Outreach Education & Training program at the Interfaith Youth Core. She is extensively involved with the Muslim community through several grassroots initiatives in Chicago, IL "Hum Honge Kamyab." Throughout...

By Eboo Patel | January 28, 2009; 10:20 AM ET | Comments (2)

Obama Reaches Out to the Muslim World

Not only was Obama the first President to mention the word "Muslim" in an inauguration speech, he did it with his hand out instead of with his fist clenched.

By Eboo Patel | January 26, 2009; 12:52 AM ET | Comments (109)

The Legacy of King's Letter

Today's guest blogger is Angie Chan, a senior Linguistics Major at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, most of Angie's time is spent working with the Interfaith Youth Core's Fellows Alliance program, as well as acting as...

By Eboo Patel | January 21, 2009; 01:44 PM ET | Comments (0)

Who's Praying for Obama?

As the inauguration excitement fades and the prayer services come to an end, will these leaders continue to pray for Barack Obama? More importantly, will they and will we continue to join together on common ground?

By Eboo Patel | January 16, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (26)

What Is the Difference Between Bravery and Courage?

Filmmaker and human rights advocate Ronit Avni is today's guest blogger; she is also the Founder & Executive Director of Just Vision, a non-profit that researches, documents and creates media about Palestinian and Israeli civic peace builders. Recipient of Auburn...

By Eboo Patel | January 14, 2009; 11:27 AM ET | Comments (3)

Barack Obama: Faith and Community

It's clear to me that the Obama administration means to engage the efforts of ordinary citizens in the long march to solving poverty.

By Eboo Patel | January 12, 2009; 09:35 AM ET | Comments (7)

A Different Kind of Conversation About the Middle East

"Step One is recognizing that this is a difficult dialogue ... That's crucially important... [And] when you realize that it's difficult but that you're willing to take it on, I think that's where the courage starts ..." -- Ola, Interfaith...

By Eboo Patel | January 9, 2009; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (3)

Status Quo vs. Solution for Middle East

The sad truth of the Middle East conflict is that many Muslims and Jews agree that the Solution Rulebook makes sense to them, but when the crisis escalates and hits the front page (like now), the old logic takes over and Muslim and Jewish organizations revert to the Status Quo Rules.

By Eboo Patel | January 8, 2009; 06:17 AM ET | Comments (51)

De-Militarizing Young Israelis and Palestinians

My encounter and recent events in Gaza have forced me to think seriously about the consequences of militarizing, year after year, entire generations of young people in Israel and Palestine.

By Eboo Patel | January 7, 2009; 11:32 AM ET | Comments (6)

US Jews, Muslims Need New Playbook

It's time for us to find a Gaza and Middle East solution together, not circle the wagons and shout talking points.

By Eboo Patel | December 31, 2008; 01:14 PM ET | Comments (157)

Rick Warren and Our Either/Or Culture

Win or lose, you have to go to work with people who believe (perhaps passionately) differently than you.

By Eboo Patel | December 19, 2008; 10:16 AM ET | Comments (50)

The Day After Mumbai: Nothing Changed

Today's guest blogger is Dan Morrison. Dan is the founder of 1Well, an organization that connects socially conscious individuals and groups with communities in need of small but critical infrastructure projects. He is a graduate of the University of Notre...

By Eboo Patel | December 17, 2008; 10:58 AM ET | Comments (12)

The Power of Protest

This is why you don't see Pakistanis protesting their own government, but rather Denmark's. Because in Denmark, they might have a say.

By Eboo Patel | December 15, 2008; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (1)

In Defense of Sonal Shah

To link Sonal Shah to the activities of the Hindu nationalist right is offensive and inaccurate.

By Eboo Patel | December 11, 2008; 09:51 AM ET | Comments (133)

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: External Violence, Internal Turmoil

Today's guest bloggers are Joshua Stanton and Mirah Curzer. Joshua is a first-year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College. He is also founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue™ and a 2007 - 2008 Fellow of the Interfaith Youth...

By Eboo Patel | December 10, 2008; 12:29 PM ET | Comments (2)

Stealing Eid

Eboo Patel | The terrorists of Mumbai stole many things - lives, property, tranquility. Add the Hajj and Eid to the list.

» Kamran Pasha: Hollywood Goes to Mecca

By Eboo Patel | December 8, 2008; 10:17 AM ET | Comments (235)

Is She Muslim Enough?

Inspired by Obama's "Joshua Generation," some day soon a Muslim American women will rise up and run for Congress, and face similar challenges in her own community.

By Eboo Patel | November 21, 2008; 08:28 AM ET | Comments (11)

Obama and the Old Guard

Barack didn't ask the permission of the Old Guard - in the black church, in the civil rights generation, or in the Democratic party. He understood that the past was further away and the future nearer than any of the Old Guard thought.

By Eboo Patel | November 17, 2008; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (20)

Saudi Hypocrisy or Saudi Tolerance?

Maybe King Abdullah, by articulating the central Muslim value of religious pluralism on the world stage, will find the citizens of his Kingdom demanding that he implement it at home.

By Eboo Patel | November 14, 2008; 10:00 AM ET | Comments (77)

Obama's New Weather Forecast

One place where the change in weather will be most welcome is on the U.S. relationship with the Muslim world.

By Eboo Patel | November 10, 2008; 09:52 AM ET | Comments (16)

New American Gospel

When Obama took the stage, I heard my little boy stir. He felt the earth shift. We all did. As I looked at television images of crowds in Atlanta and Chicago and Kenya, I felt like I saw the faces of King and Lincoln and Mandela.

By Eboo Patel | November 5, 2008; 02:32 AM ET | Comments (35)

Studs Terkel and Barack Obama

The spirit of Studs Terkel is going to fire the soul of this nation for a long time to come.

By Eboo Patel | November 3, 2008; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (10)

Mean Enough for Politics?

If I was an idealistic college student coming of age in this election and considering a career in public life, my idealism may well be giving away to a searching question: "Am I mean enough for politics?"

By Eboo Patel | October 31, 2008; 09:55 AM ET | Comments (167)

Faith as heritage, faith as recognition

Today's guest blogger is Remz Pokorny, a senior at Brandeis University, majoring in Political Science and Middle East Studies. He is also an IFYC Fellow and an active member of the Brandeis Baha'i Association. Let's start at the beginning: My...

By Eboo Patel | October 29, 2008; 12:37 PM ET | Comments (6)

The New Veterans Movement

Because today's veterans are often tomorrow's political and civic leaders, the IAVA and Paul Rieckhoff may well be creating a social movement that shapes American life for generations to come.

By Eboo Patel | October 24, 2008; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (9)

Colin Powell and the American Dream

Colin Powell has always played the good soldier, but on Sunday he became the ultimate statesman - insisting on our country's core principles in the midst of a pitched partisan battle.

By Eboo Patel | October 21, 2008; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (113)

Whose Religious Values?

As a young voter and interfaith activist, this is what I like to hear. For my peers, focusing on these urgent issues creates common ground for walking across the lines of faith. Without having to agree on the meaning of marriage, we can lobby together for health care and renewable energy.

By Eboo Patel | October 15, 2008; 02:22 PM ET | Comments (15)

Biden, Palin Focus on Issues, not Ideology

Eboo Patel | Conservative Christians might be lukewarm to Sarah Palin's emphasis on tolerance for same-sex relationships.

By Eboo Patel | October 3, 2008; 08:00 AM ET | Comments (32)

Rick Warren, Interfaith Activist

Warren's words and work signal an important turn in American Evangelical tradition - from viewing people of other faiths primarily as lost souls requiring conversion to viewing them as partners in the plan to make earth more humane and just.

By Eboo Patel | September 29, 2008; 10:14 AM ET | Comments (98)

Anti-Obama Smears About Religion or Race?

Eboo Patel | The strategy of linking Obama's fictitious Muslim-ness with his dark skin might backfire, if Americans follow their creed.

By Eboo Patel | September 22, 2008; 10:14 AM ET | Comments (200)

The Qur'an, the Constitution and the Legacy of W.D. Muhammad

Every Muslim in America owes our existence to Warith Deen Muhammad.

By Eboo Patel | September 15, 2008; 01:24 AM ET | Comments (30)

"Traitor": the Challenges of Hollywood and the Muslim World

Today's guest blogger, Dr. Cynthia P. Schneider, teaches, publishes, and organizes initiatives in the field of cultural diplomacy, with a focus on relations with the Muslim world. For the Brookings Institution, she leads the Arts and Culture Initiative within the...

By Eboo Patel | September 3, 2008; 06:25 PM ET | Comments (5)

Vodoo Helping to Heal New Orleans

Today's guest blogger is Erik Schwarz, founder of Interfaith Works, a nonprofit based in New Orleans, Louisiana and Washington, DC that partners a wide range of faith communities and other organizations around innovative social-change projects. He also serves as an...

By Eboo Patel | August 29, 2008; 05:19 PM ET | Comments (8)

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