Islam in the West: The Threat of Internal Extremism

The presence of a persistent anti-western extremism within a small minority of Western Muslims exacerbates the plight of Western Muslims and undermines all their efforts to improve relations with the broader Western communities and allay fears that Islam in the West is a threat to democracy and security. To read more click here.

He helped Build Interfaith Bridge

Op-Ed Published in USA Today, April 6th, 2005.

Today, through the efforts of John Paul II as a pioneer in interfaith bridge-building, Muslims, too, feel as though Catholicism has started to reciprocate and recognize Islam and Muslims as partners in spirituality. To read more click here.

Message on the Death of Pope John Paul II

I want to express my condolences to the Catholics of the World on the sad demise of Pope John Paul II. He was truly a world leader. For nearly a quarter century he was a beacon of freedom, religious tolerance, and inter-faith relations.

In a world despiritualized by materialism, secular fundamentalism and religious extremism, he was a champion of moderation and peace. He was a friend of Islam and Muslims and we shall always remember his bold positions on the Middle East crisis and the war against Iraq.

One of his many legacies will be his outreach to Muslims and I hope that his successor will not only continue in the same spirit but will also move forward to further emphasize the good relations between the Catholic Church and the Muslim World.