West in Need of Simplified Introduction to Quran: Scholar
The Quran should be introduced to the West, especially to France, in a simplified manner such as using short Quranic stories, Hojat-ol-Islam Mojtaba Rahmati, Director of Islamic studies at the French department of Al-Mustafa International University, told IQNA on Sunday.
One of the important points in the Quran is the fact that it directly addresses people in some verses and this has attracted some Europeans towards reading the Holy Book, he said.
Talking about ways to increase interaction between Islam and Christianity, the scholar said the best model for this is the Quran itself which offers a good picture of Christianity.
The Quran notes that when Christians listen to the truth, their eyes become full of tears, he added.
Another fact is the Quran’s description of Hazrat Maryam (SA), said the preacher of Al-Montazar Husseiniya in Lyon, adding that Christians consider her at the center of their faith and the Quran has sanctified her which has been noted by followers of Christianity.
God Almighty calls on people to respect and do good to their parents and neighbors even if they are not Muslim and also to keep their promises even if the other side is not Muslim, he said.
So a Muslim seeks to live in the European community, he/she should take these teachings into account and be the best model for Muslims, Rahmati added.
One of the current pains in European countries is loneliness, he said, adding that Islamic values need to be further promoted in this community which suffers from various problems.
Muslims living in these communities should reconsider their relations with their neighbors and establish Islamic interactions because good behavior influences attracting people of other faiths, he noted. “The aim is not to turn them into Muslims but to create a positive viewpoint of Islam in them.”
