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Archive: John Esposito
Peter King's hearings: Islamophobia draped in the American flag
Peter King's hearing is a staged event that will do little to shed light on the causes of domestic terrorism.
By John Esposito | March 6, 2011; 09:10 PM ET | Comments (104)
Time to walk the talk in Mideast
The end of the Mubarak regime demonstrates the falsity of commonly held stereotypes: Arabs reject democracy, Islam is incompatible with popular sovereignty, the grip of rulers of security states is unshakable.
By John Esposito | February 15, 2011; 02:48 PM ET | Comments (12)
Is Islam a primary driver or cause of terrorism?
Islam, like all world religions, neither supports nor requires illegitimate violence.
By John Esposito | August 27, 2010; 08:55 AM ET | Comments (10)
Why don't women have more rights in Muslim countries?
No one should be complacent about the condition of women in many Muslim (or many Western) societies. Americans certainly are not.
By John Esposito | August 27, 2010; 08:50 AM ET | Comments (2)
Answering 'Will Muslims impose Shariah?'
In America, Muslims, like members of other faiths, can draw on their religious law to govern internal matters and as a guide in family and social behavior as long as they do not violate civil law.
By John Esposito | August 19, 2010; 02:43 PM ET | Comments (55)
Ramadan, translated
Ramadan, which is just beginning, is a special time set aside to reflect on human frailty and dependence on God to draw closer to God through physical and spiritual discipline.
By John Esposito | August 13, 2010; 03:10 PM ET | Comments (4)
Do Muslims have equal rights?
The social cancer of Islamophobia must be recognized as unacceptable as anti-Semitism. It is a threat to the very fabric of our democratic pluralistic way of life, one that tests the mettle of our democratic principles and values.
By John Esposito | August 3, 2010; 04:26 PM ET | Comments (161)
"Where there are Muslims, there are problems"
Mosque construction in the United States has become a catalyst for increased anti-Islam and anti-Muslim sentiment, discrimination and hate crimes in recent years.
By John Esposito | July 20, 2010; 12:09 PM ET | Comments (8)
Violent 'Muslims' distort the tradition
Religiously motivated violence adds the dimensions of divine or ultimate authority, religious symbolism, moral justification, motivation and obligation, certitude, and heavenly reward that enhance recruitment and a willingness to fight and die in a sacred struggle.
By John Esposito | July 14, 2010; 09:27 AM ET | Comments (20)
Influential Pakistani cleric issues fatwa against terrorism
Qadri's fatwa is an exhaustive, systematic theological and legal study of the Islamic tradition's teachings on the use of force and armed resistance to support an absolute condemnation of any form of terrorism for any cause.
By John Esposito | March 5, 2010; 09:18 AM ET | Comments (15)
Exploring the future of Islam
Is Islam compatible with modern notions of democracy, rule of law, gender equality, and human rights? Can Muslim minority communities be loyal citizens in America and Europe?
By John Esposito | March 4, 2010; 02:16 PM ET | Comments (1)
Media bias begins at Fox
If Hume is really concerned about media bias with regard to religion, he need look no farther than Fox news. Should Fox coverage of Islam, the bias and provocative statements of Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly and their programs, be attributed to their politics "or widespread media bias against Islam"?
By John Esposito | January 12, 2010; 08:54 AM ET | Comments (9)
Muslim pluralism problems
Recent attacks against Coptic Christians in Egypt and firebomb attacks on churches in Malaysia have raised major concerns about deteriorating rights and security for religious minorities in Muslim countries.
By John Esposito | January 11, 2010; 09:47 AM ET | Comments (71)
Islamophobia comes to Switzerland
The Swiss ban on minarets, like some other European countries' policies, highlights a failure of Western liberalism and raises fundamental questions about religious discrimination and freedom of religion.
By John Esposito | December 2, 2009; 09:51 AM ET | Comments (12)
Religious leaders should have no extra influence
Religious leaders have always had a right, and indeed from their faith perspective an obligation, to speak out on issues of morality and social justice. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has a long track record of doing do so.
By John Esposito | November 20, 2009; 09:16 AM ET | Comments (0)
Major faiths no threat to U.S.
No major faith, including the five major world religions I have studied and taught, threatens the safety and security of the U.S. or its citizens. Religious extremists of any faith are a threat but they should be treated as any other extremists, religious or non-religious.
By John Esposito | November 11, 2009; 10:58 AM ET | Comments (7)
Rush to judgment: Media reporting or making the news?
Why immediately rush to brushstroke Islam, Hasan's religion, by linking it to this tragedy?
By John Esposito | November 6, 2009; 03:36 PM ET | Comments (19)
A Global Agenda for Change in Muslim-Christian Relations
Critical to realizing the purpose and goal of A Common Word is applied theology, transforming belief and dialogue into action. Conference encounters and their final reports alone, however good and important are too easily archived and do not in themselves change minds and hearts and transform societies.
By John Esposito | October 12, 2009; 09:06 AM ET | Comments (28)
Islamists and the Future of Democracy in the Arab World
The threat of global terrorism has provided a convenient excuse for Muslim autocrats and some Western policymakers to backslide or retreat from the promotion of democratization, to limit or control civil society and the rights of non-government organizations.
By John Esposito | August 25, 2009; 09:59 AM ET | Comments (1)
Apostasy and Religious Pluralism
A significant minority of Muslims, like very conservative and fundamentalist Christians and Jews who strongly affirm their faith, are less pluralistic in their attitudes towards other faiths and their co-believers.
By John Esposito | August 11, 2009; 11:20 AM ET | Comments (2)
Egypt's Challenge to Democracy
The arrest and detention of Dr. Aboul Fattouh symbolizes the continuing problem of Arab authoritarianism.
By John Esposito | July 31, 2009; 01:03 PM ET | Comments (1)
Muslim Women Reclaiming Their Rights
Though patriarchy, legitimated in the past by religion, remains very much alive as an ideology and value system, in many Muslim countries it is progressively challenged by women, also in the name of religion as well as economic realities.
By John Esposito | July 22, 2009; 01:05 PM ET | Comments (2)
Obama and Great Expectations in Muslim World
While Obama's vision and words are different from those of George W. Bush, it is still not clear how his policies will be all that different for the Muslim world.
By John Esposito | July 13, 2009; 10:22 AM ET | Comments (2)
Obama Reversing Christian Right's Damage to Islam
Obama offset the suspicion and belief that American foreign policy was influenced by the beliefs and designs of the Christian Right, intent upon spreading its version of God's message and rule.
By John Esposito | June 8, 2009; 01:28 PM ET | Comments (10)
A Paradigm to Jump-Start U.S. - Muslim Relations
Obama's Cairo address, in what may prove to be an historic event, was a major step forward in changing the course of American-Muslim relations.
By John Esposito | June 5, 2009; 04:40 PM ET | Comments (1)
Address Palestine-Israel Directly
Obama's combination of principle and pragmatism will be tested as he seeks to balance relations with old allies and populist expectations in the Muslim world. If Obama does not address Palestine-Israel directly and concretely, the response will be seen "as same old, same old."
By John Esposito | June 2, 2009; 12:04 PM ET | Comments (6)
Obama Must Transcend Israeli/Palestinian Divisions
The Obama administration will have to transcend America's policy of "Israeli Exceptionalism," privileging Israeli interests. A more even-handed policy would require that Israel as well as HAMAS and the Palestinians be held to the same standards to respect and comply with international law and U.N. resolutions.
By John Esposito | January 28, 2009; 12:39 AM ET | Comments (15)
Banking without Interest: Islamic Home Mortgages
If Islamic banking standards been in effect, the current investment and banking market crisis in America might have been avoided.
By John Esposito | September 29, 2008; 12:27 PM ET | Comments (7)
W.D. Mohammed: A Witness for True Islam
On September 11, as Americans commemorate the attacks and tragedy of 9/11, Warith Deen Mohammed will be buried. His passing and the memory of his accomplishments are a witness and fittingly a reminder of the heart of Islam and the vast majority of its followers.
By John Esposito | September 10, 2008; 04:21 PM ET | Comments (41)
Benedict's Mixed Messages to Islam
Given the multi-religious and multi-ethnic nature of America, not only Catholics but also Jews, Protestants, Muslims, and members of other faiths and faith will be monitoring Benedict's comments on inter-religious relations.
By John Esposito | April 16, 2008; 07:57 AM ET | Comments (16)
Who Speaks for Islam?
For the first time, we have a powerful new tool that provides access to the voices of a billion Muslims.
By John Esposito | March 26, 2008; 01:42 PM ET | Comments (4)
The Media's Fixation with Religion and Politics
The focus on religion in the presidential elections and in politics in general has gotten out of hand.
By John Esposito | March 19, 2008; 07:36 AM ET | Comments (8)
He'd Be Rejected by Democrats and Republicans
Clearly, opposition candidates and the media, as well as self-righteous religious leaders, would have a field day with this politically naive, unrealistic candidate!
By John Esposito | March 4, 2008; 03:26 PM ET | Comments (18)
Public Policies, Private Votes
The focus of presidential politics should remain political, economic and social issues. Those for whom religious values are paramount can still bring their beliefs or moral conscience to bear by privately judging a candidate's positions in light of their faith and beliefs.
By John Esposito | February 21, 2008; 06:39 AM ET | Comments (6)
Anglican Tensions Runneth Over
In fact, Archbishop Rowan Williams was not calling for implementation of Shariah law but simply signaling the need for addressing/discussing a question/issue that is inevitable. Muslims should have the same rights and choice that Orthodox Jews and Catholics already enjoy.
By John Esposito | February 12, 2008; 02:30 PM ET | Comments (4)
Reclaiming the Center
The Christian Right sees secularism as anti-religion. It's not.
By John Esposito | February 7, 2008; 05:27 PM ET | Comments (18)
Public Sees Leaders First
Both Pope John Paul and President Hinckley projected a positive image of their faiths even among those that would have problems with the conservative nature of their doctrinal or social beliefs and policies.
By John Esposito | February 1, 2008; 06:45 AM ET | Comments (2)
Untenable and Un-American
America's separation of church and state was to assure that no specific religious denomination be given special preference and that both belief and unbelief have equal protection and space.
By John Esposito | January 29, 2008; 05:11 AM ET | Comments (14)
Romney Credible but Calculating
Romney's comments might seem to many the calculated product of a presidential candidate in a 2008 race.
By John Esposito | December 6, 2007; 05:27 AM ET | Comments (5)
Desperate Times, Desperate Statements
Regrettably, I think Mr. McCain's statement is simply that of a desperate candidate.
By John Esposito | October 9, 2007; 06:10 AM ET | Comments (0)
'Just War' or Just War?
President Bush, who sees himself as a devout Christian, has waged a war that the majority of mainstream religious leaders see as a violation of Just War doctrine.
By John Esposito | June 4, 2007; 06:44 AM ET | Comments (80)
A World of Challenges
World events have given me not only a profession but also a vocation and mission.
By John Esposito | May 18, 2007; 07:38 AM ET | Comments (44)
Old Religions or Cult Classics?
The acceptance of Mormonism is still affected today by the fact that in many areas Mormons are not visible in many American communities.
By John Esposito | May 3, 2007; 07:56 AM ET | Comments (32)
True Islam has been Distorted
The Quran does not advocate or condone terrorism.
By John Esposito | April 19, 2007; 10:13 AM ET | Comments (235)
A Long Way to Go: A "Predestined" Media
There is a growing propensity in the media in the name of balanced coverage of Islam and Muslims to have a “counter voice” on virtually any story.
By John Esposito | March 28, 2007; 08:18 AM ET | Comments (37)
Many Religious Traditions Created by Men, But Presented as Sacred
Men, the patriarchs, "the good and not-so-good old boys" were the primary religious scholars and leaders, the interpreters of sacred texts and laws, ritual makers and architects of religious institutions.
By John Esposito | January 20, 2007; 10:10 AM ET | Comments (52)
Iraq: No Just War
The just war doctrine has a long established history and plays an important role in international affairs. Many if not most of mainstream religious leaders in the US, as did others like the Pope internationally, cited this doctrine in opposing...
By John Esposito | January 11, 2007; 03:34 PM ET | Comments (3)
Turks Troubled by Pope's Refusal to Apologize
How would the Pope feel if the Sheikh of Al-Azhar or a Grand Mufti publicly lectured him and Catholicism on their own serious problems such as pedophilia and the failure of many church officials in both covering up and not responding adequately?
By John Esposito | November 27, 2006; 08:00 PM ET | Comments (136)
Concern for Neighbor Can Trump Belief Monopoly
Those who feel they have a monopoly on truth can be an obstacle to...understanding needed in today's world. However, this need not be so.
By John Esposito | November 15, 2006; 03:30 PM ET | Comments (251)
