Can Christianity & Islam Coexist in a Pluralistic Society?

7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29

Withycomb 109 on the OSU Campus

Speakers are Martin Alphonse and Shahriar Ahmed

What do Christians and Muslims have in common? How do they differ as monotheistic faiths within the Abrahamic tradition? Given their mutually exclusive claims, must they always be at odds or can they exhibit tolerance, patience, and justice to one other? Can Christians and Muslims seek converts for their respective faiths while at the same time working to foster respect for those with whom they disagree? Adherents of both major faith traditions will address these questions, which have been widely discussed since 9/11, in an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect.

Martin Alphonse is Professor of Intercultural Studies at Multnomah Bible College in Portland. A Methodist minister, he received his Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is a native of India who has taught at several academic institutions in India, Singapore, and the U.S. Shahriar Ahmed is President of the Bilal Mosque Association of Oregon. Originally from Bangladesh, he holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Rice University and has been an engineer at Intel since 1985. He has engaged widely in interfaith discussions with churches, synagogues, and colleges.