Faith Dialogues: Christianity and Islam
Living near an Islamic mosque, I developed a deep curiosity about Islam and its rich cultural and spiritual traditions. Despite living near the Islamic Institute of Orange County (IIOC) since 2005, when it built its mosque on the outskirts of my Orange County neighborhood, I realized I knew surprisingly little about its traditions and beliefs. As a 9-year-old, the ornate architecture of the mosque intrigued me, yet it wasn't until I moved to Los Angeles that I decided to satisfy this long-standing curiosity.
After reaching out to the IIOC, the gracious Outreach Manager, Jamaal Zaheen, helped orchestrate a visit to the mosque, allowing me to both tour the facility and attend one of the congregation’s prayer services. Through enlightening discussions with Zaheen and other community members, many of my questions about the Islamic faith and its traditions found answers. Additionally, after participating in Sunday mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, my parish in Fullerton, the parallels and distinctions between my Catholic faith and Islam became more pronounced. Despite their differences, the similarities in beliefs and practices of these two Abrahamic religions are striking. Engaging in participatory observations at an Islamic mosque and a Catholic church, I aimed to discern the shared and unique aspects present in the origin, historical evolution, and sacred rituals of Christianity and Islam.
Christianity and Islam are two of the world's most populous religions, each boasting over a billion followers. They are collectively categorized as Abrahamic religions, tracing their spiritual lineage to Judaism, the earliest of these faiths, established by the patriarch Abraham. This shared ancestry is evident as all three religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—acknowledge Abraham as a seminal prophet. However, each religion interprets Abraham’s legacy differently, leading to divergent theological paths. Christianity and Islam, while emerging from Judaism, have distinct historical journeys, shaping unique foundational beliefs that, while broadly similar, also possess significant differences.
Christianity, believed to have begun with the birth of Jesus in the 1st century CE, derives its name from the Greek word "christos," meaning "anointed one," in reference to Jesus Christ, the Messiah and son of God. The life and teachings of Jesus form the core of Christian belief and are chronicled in the Bible, regarded as the "Word of God" because of its divine inspiration by the Trinity. Christians believe in one God in three distinct forms: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This Trinitarian concept is central to Christianity’s theological framework, differentiating it from Islam’s strict monotheism.
Islam, on the other hand, originated in 7th century CE Mecca when Allah, the Muslim God, communicated through the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. The term "Islam," an Arabic word meaning "submission," signifies the faith's foundational principle of surrendering to Allah’s will. Muhammad's teachings, recorded as the Qur’an, are considered the unaltered, sacred text of Islam, viewed as Allah’s final revelation to humanity. Unlike Christianity, which embraces the Trinity, Islam emphasizes the oneness of Allah, who is without partners or equals. Muslims exclusively worship Allah, avoiding the veneration of saints and prophets, a practice present in Catholicism.
Ritual Practices: A Comparative Observation
On Sunday, November 11, I joined a group of female students from Chapman University for a tour of the IIOC mosque. The architectural contrast between my church and the mosque was immediately apparent. The mosque’s prominent features include a large, copper dome and a slender minaret, topped with a smaller dome. While these elements are traditional, they hold no intrinsic religious significance, serving primarily to signify the mosque’s presence. In contrast, St. Mary’s Catholic Church is adorned with a cross and a statue of the Virgin Mary, both symbolic of its Catholic identity.
The simplicity of the mosque’s exterior extends to its interior. Unlike churches adorned with religious icons, the mosque lacks effigies of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, or even Jesus Christ. While Muslims respect Jesus as a prophet, they do not idolize him, reserving worship solely for Allah. The interior walls, however, feature Arabic calligraphy acknowledging Allah and the prophets. Notably, the entrance to the musalla, or "place of prayer," bears a banner reading, “O Allah, open for me the doors of your mercy.”
Entering the musalla requires the removal of shoes, a practice intended to maintain the mosque’s cleanliness. Additionally, a modest dress code is observed, with women wearing loose clothing and headscarves, known as hijabs, to emphasize intellectual rather than physical attributes. Contrary to misconceptions, the hijab is not a symbol of oppression but a marker of respect. Men also adhere to a dress code, wearing long pants and well-groomed beards. Our group was provided with hijabs before entering the prayer hall.
The prayer hall itself is unadorned, emphasizing functionality over decoration. The absence of chairs and the presence of a patterned carpet, designed to mimic prayer rugs, facilitate prayer on the floor. The carpet’s design aligns congregants toward Mecca, the Islamic pilgrimage site, and faces the minbar, where the imam leads the Friday sermon.
Conversely, Christianity centers on the belief in Jesus Christ, the son of God, who Christians believe was sent to prophesy God’s word. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus is seen as both divine and human. His crucifixion and resurrection are viewed as a sacrifice for humanity’s sins, offering salvation and eternal life. This core belief underpins Christian ritual practices, such as the Eucharist, which commemorates Jesus’ sacrifice, contrasting with Islamic practices focused on submission to Allah’s will.
In conclusion, while Christianity and Islam share common roots and certain similarities in beliefs and practices, they also exhibit distinct differences in theological interpretation, historical development, and ritual observance. My observations at both the mosque and the church highlighted these nuances, enriching my understanding of these two major world religions. Engaging with both communities has not only satisfied my curiosity but also fostered a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of faith that shapes our diverse world.
Faith Dialogues: Christianity and Islam. (2019, Apr 08). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/catholics-perspective-on-muslims-faith/
