August 8, 2010

CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM RELATIONS. Carole Hallundbaek interviews Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Professor of Islamic Studies and director of the Macdonald Center for Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary in Hartford, CT. Dr. Mattson is the author of 'The Story of the Qur’an: Its History and Place in Muslim Societies' and has written articles exploring the relationship between Islamic law and society, as well as gender and leadership issues in contemporary Muslim communities. In 2006, Dr Mattson was elected President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Topics explored in this hour include: an exploration of Ramadan, the daily fast that is rigidly enjoined from dawn until sunset in the ninth month of the Muslim calendar; the spiritual gifts of Ramadan, including ensuring that the impoverished are able to enjoy the holiday; Mattson's childhood upbringing as a Catholic; the benefits of Catholicism, as well as the challenges that later altered her journey; her discovery and budding interest in Islam; her role as President of the Islamic Society of North America; the experience of women in both Christian and Muslim communities; common misconceptions about Islam; the different types of Muslims (Shiite, Sunni, Sufi); her work in Christian-Muslim Relations; the development of the Islamic Chaplaincy program in hospital, prison and military communities; "the heart of the faith" and "the core of the law" for Muslims; the gratitude she experiences as a driving force of her faith; and more.