Meeting of Civilizations

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The horrific acts of anti-Western and anti-Jewish terrorism carried out by Muslim fanatics during the last decades have been labeled by politicians, religious leaders, and scholars as a "Clash of Civilizations." However, as the contributors to this book explain, these acts cannot be considered an Islamic onslaught on Judeo-Christian civilization. While the hostile ideas, words, and deeds perpetrated by supporters among the three monotheistic civilizations cannot be ignored, history has demonstrated a more positive, constructive - albeit complex - relationship among Muslim, Christians, and Jews during medieval and modern times. For long periods of time, they shared divine and human values - cooperated in cultural, economic, and political fields - and have influenced one another's thinking. This book examines religious and historical themes of these three civilizing religions, including the impact of education on their interrelationship, the problem of Jerusalem, as well as contemporary interfaith relations. Noted scholars and theologians - Jewish, Christian, and Muslim - from the United States, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Pakistan, Palestine, and Turkey contribute to this book, the theme of which was first presented at an international conference organized by the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, and the Divinity School, Harvard University.