The Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies proudly presents a 16-minute interfaith video clip, “Making History,” portraying discussions between Shaykh Salah Kuftaro, Chief Director of Abu Anour Islamic Foundation, Damascus, Syria, and Dr. Robert Schuller, founder of the Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, California, and the host of the worldwide TV show, “The Hour of Power.” This video aired in 200 countries worldwide on September 17, 2000.
I apologize to Islam for the Christian Crusades of 1065; let us begin a new crusade of comradeship and friendship. We are in the same camp -Dr. Robert H. Schuller
A historic and unprecedented event occurred at the Crystal Cathedral on September 10, 2000. For the first time, two prominent Islam and Christianity leaders met to share the common ground of their two faiths, representing more than one-half the world population.
Dr. Robert Schuller welcomed Sheik Salah Kuftaro, the son of Sheik Ahmad Kuftaro, the Grand Mufti of Syria, on both of his Sunday televised services. Sheik Salah Kuftaro appeared at both the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services and told the 6000 Christian/Muslim/Jewish congregation, including a variety of religious leaders:
Islam is not new but completes the beliefs of Christ, Moses, and Abraham. The fountain of these religions is Almighty Allah.
He added that Prophet Muhammad said:
We, the Prophets of God, are brothers, and the likeness of me and the prophets before me is like that of a beautiful building with one missing stone. I am the complete and final stone of this building.” Sheik Salah said: “We, Muslims and Christians, are in one camp.
Regarding the Grand Mufti of Syria, Sheik Ahmad Kuftaro, Dr. Schuller remarked:
“I met the Pope on several occasions. However, I have never met a man of such spirituality and wisdom as that of your father. He is a spiritual giant.”
Dr. Schuller then said:
“Your father told me that the 17 million population of Syria are all Christians. Could you elaborate on that?” Sheik Salah said: “My father is correct:
A Muslim cannot be a true Muslim if they do not believe in the Prophethood of Jesus, Moses, or any prophet of God. Therefore, we Muslims honor, revere, and are inspired by Jesus, Moses, and Abraham, as much as by Muhammad and the rest of God’s prophets.
When Dr. Schuller asked his guest, “Why is it that Muslims kill Christians and Christians kill Muslims?” Sheik Salah said:
“Heavenly religions are like rain. When the rain first comes, it is clean and pure, but we (people) pollute it when it reaches people. In Islam, we learn that no one person shall be killed for no reason, and he recited the verse: If anyone killed a person, it would be as if he kills the whole people, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole people. He further said: “A Muslim must treat a Christian or a Jew with respect and kindness, which he would treat a Muslim.”
He related that Prophet Muhammad, before he ate his meal, asked whether his Jewish neighbor had received a portion of the food. If not, he would not eat.
Sheik Salah said:
“A building without maintenance deteriorates fast, especially when it is abused. So likewise, the building of our faiths gets abused. Therefore, we, the clergymen, must ensure that this building is pure, beautiful, and well-maintained.”
Dr. Schuller then apologized for the Christian Crusader war and called on his son, Robert, and Salah, to start a new friendship campaign. He said:
I Pray that you (Salah) and my son (Robert) start a new crusade of comradeship and friendship. I apologize to Islam for the Crusades that the Christians began in 1065; we are in the same camp.
We praise Dr. Schuller for his blessed remarks and his work for peace.
