Christians, Muslims share similarities
“Behold! The angels said: ‘O Mary God giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him. His name is Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and in (the company of) those nearest to God.’”
Before searching for this quote in the New Testament, you might first ask your Muslim co-worker, friend or neighbor for a copy of the Quraan, Islam’s revealed text. A copy can also be found in most libraries. The quote is from verse 45 of chapter 3 of the Quraan. What is little understood is that Muslims love and revere Jesus as a one of God’s messengers to mankind.
Other verses in the Quraan, which is regarded by Muslims as the direct word of God, state that Jesus was strengthened with the “Holy Spirit:” (2:87) and is a “sign for the whole world.” (21:91). His virgin birth was confirmed when Mary is quoted as asking: “How can I have a son when no man has even touched me?” (3:47)
The Quraan shows Jesus speaking from the cradle and, with God’s permission, curing the lepers and the blind. (5:110). God also states in the Quraan: “We gave (Jesus) the Gospel (Ingeel) and put compassion and mercy into the hearts of his followers” (5:27).
There is a whole chapter in the Quraan about Mary and the pure life she lived. God made it clear that people have the choice of faith when He said “To you have your faith and to me mine” (109:6).
Jesus is mentioned in the Quraan more times than Prophet Mohammed who received the Quraan from God and is regarded as the last prophet revealed to mankind. Muslims believe that among all Prophets of God Jesus is the one that is chosen to return to earth before the Day of Judgment. Muslims do regard Jesus as a special Prophet with unmatched miracles.
As forces of hate in this country and worldwide try to pull Muslims and Christians apart, we are in desperate need of unifying forces that can bridge the widening gap of interfaith misunderstanding and mistrust. That force could be the message of love, peace and forgiveness taught by Jesus and accepted by followers of both faiths. Working together can definitely clear the misconception that several Muslims and non-Muslims alike have about the true peaceful message of Islam.
Ali A. Selim, Ph.D.
Professor of Civil &
Environmental Eng.
Doublecheck paperwork
I do believe Ray Schmidt and the other members of Sigma Phi Epsilon that the apartment they live in is not a fraternity house. Why would these students consciously attempt to deceive the City of Brookings?
I do offer one piece of advice when filling out paperwork (i.e. paperwork for the phone company) DOUBLE CHECK YOUR WORK.
I know that sometimes when filling out forms, that ask for my name, I occasionally have written SDSU math department instead of Joe Mousel. In the past when I have revised my forms I have noticed the mistakes and made the necessary changes.
This can help avoid some embarrassment for the future. Either that or learn to spell your name correctly.
Joe Mousel
Math Graduate Student
Some dancers forced to strip
In Alec Strenge’s column “First Strip Club Experience Leaves Painful Memories” published in the Jan. 18 issue of the Collegian masquerades as an insightful and (though in poor taste) humorous commentary on the grim reality of strip clubs from the perspective of an innocent college boy, turns out to be a missed opportunity.
While Mr. Strenge does acknowledge that life inside a strip club is not particularly glamorous, erotic or even fun as images in film or on TV would suggest. But that it is instead degrading and depressing for dancers and patrons alike, he ultimately misses the point.
If he had been able to get beyond his own personal disappointment at not having the “quality experience” he had been hoping for, he might have recognized that the life of a stripper is fraught with physical danger and emotional distress.
Many strippers have histories of physical and emotional abuse and often work as dancers, as well as prostitutes, in part to support expensive drug habits. They lead unstable lives with uncertain futures. To be sure, they do not have access to the economic and educational opportunities or the health care that the average college undergraduate would enjoy.
Thus, Mr. Strenge, as you work through your own confused and painful memories of this experience,why not ask yourself the question you imagined posing to the first dancer-why, indeed, might she have bruises (self-inflicted or otherwise) all over her body?
And as you ponder the answer to this question, perhaps also take some time to reflect on why you find the unfortunate and desperate circumstances of your fellow human beings to be so funny.
Erin Dennis
English graduate student
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