A Muslim woman wearing a hijab was recently kicked off of a Southwest flight because someone thought she said, "It's a go!" (implying a terrorist attack), when all she said was, "I've gota go." Anti-Muslim protesters in California ranted and raved at Muslim families who were merely participating in a fundraising event by a Muslim relief organization focusing on the homeless. And Congressman King puts on hearings about problems of "radicalization" among American Muslims. What do all these events have in common? They depict Americans who equate Muslims with terrorists. But Muslims are not the enemy - extremism is.

In this blog I describe Sharia, as seen by Muslims, as divine, flexible and comprehensive. And so in the context of the current frenzy in several states to “outlaw Sharia,” I’m arguing that 1) it’s like telling a Muslim she can’t practice her religion at all; and 2) it displays a staggering ignorance about how Islamic law actually works; and 3) there’s nothing to fear about Muslims embracing Sharia.

When God turned my life toward peacemaking, I had a difficult time finding a mature evangelical leader who was both an authentic peacemaker and a faithful witness to Jesus. Where could I find an older coach or mentor to help me in this transition?

About fifty people from my church visited the Islamic Center of Phoenix for a Love Your Neighbor Dinner. During a time of Q&A, a member of my church asked the Imam how followers of Jesus could be practical peacemakers between Christians and Muslims. The Imam, Sheikh Mahmoud replied, "Read and obey the Gospel!" I think Sheikh Mahmoud is right.

What do the recent events in Egypt and Black History Month have in common? Other than both being the theme of our last Peace Feast, the main commonality, I believe, is the use of cultural power over political power.

No one would deny that transnational terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and its affiliates or Taliban-related fighters in Afghanistan and Pakistan are sworn enemies of the U.S. What I would like to highlight here is that "Islam" equals Sharia law, and Sharia law equals a system inherently bent on world domination.

Ahmed is Muslim. I am Christian. And we are friends. In fact, since we met about 10 months ago, Ahmed has become one of my dearest friends on the planet. A native of Afghanistan, Ahmed became my pal last April in India. Ahmed had come to Delhi to improve his English skills and to pursue a Masters degree in Political Science, and he was already enrolled in the language school when I arrived on the scene.

I was at a Muslim-Christian Dialogue at Eastern Mennonite University when the announcement was made: Egypt has toppled President Hosni Mubarak. What can we learn? 

During the Second World War, not a single Bulgarian Jew died in a concentration camp, largely because of the compassionate bravery of Metropolitan Kyril.