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Christian–Muslim Relations in Syria PDF

271 Pages·2020·4.492 MB·English
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“Engaging with the complex politico-religious landscape of Syria, Christian–Muslim Relations in Syria is the culmination of many years spent working with both laity and clergy of various Christian denominations as well as senior Muslim figures. The author’s discussion of the seminal contributions made by Eastern Christian clergy in fostering constructive dialogue – with both the government and their Muslim counterparts – reveals exceptional and fresh perspectives on community relations. For anyone who wishes to acquire an in-depth, authoritative understanding of the Muslim-Christian dynamic in Syria today, this book is a must.” – Dr. Erica C D Hunter, SOAS University of London “Through in-depth studies and contacts with religious leaders and different Christian and Muslim stakeholders, Andrew Ashdown offers a unique, significant and realistic analysis of the religious, political and social landscapes in Syria. This work is useful for scholars and ordinary readers alike and I highly recommend it for wide readership in the Arab world and beyond.” – Samer Laham, Regional Director of Diaconia Department and Ecumenical Relief Service at the Middle East Council of Churches “Christian–Muslim Relations in Syria: Historic and Contemporary Religious Dynamics in a Changing Context makes a distinct contribution to understanding the complex dynamics of relations between Christians and Muslims, church-state relations, the place of religious leadership and theology in times of upheaval and profound change. Based upon extensive fieldwork and research over the last decade, this work provides insights into how actors understand their situation and the role of religious identity in the context of. political conflict in Syria and across the region. Andrew Ashdown also offers an uncommon account of Eastern Christian ecclesial, religious and political thought and engagement from the perspective of relations between Islam and Christianity in modern times.” – Dr. Anthony O’Mahony, University of Oxford “Andrew Ashdown has rendered a valuable and important service in making heard these non-governmental voices from within Syria: these are voices which rarely reach the West, but are nonetheless ones to which serious attention needs to be paid.” – Professor Sebastian Brock, University of Oxford Christian–Muslim Relations in Syria Offering an authoritative study of the plural religious landscape in modern Syria and of the diverse Christian and Muslim communities that have cohabited the country for centuries, this volume considers a wide range of cultural, religious and political issues that have impacted the interreligious dynamic, placing them in their local and wider context. Combining fieldwork undertaken in government-held areas during the Syrian conflict with critical historical and Christian theological reflection, this research makes a significant contribution to understanding Syria’s diverse religious landscape and the multi-layered expressions of Christian–Muslim relations. It discusses the concept of sectarianism and how communal dynamics are crucial to understanding Syrian society. The complex wider issues that underlie the relationship are examined – including the roles of culture and religious leadership – and it questions whether the analytical concept of sectarianism is adequate to describe the complex communal frameworks in the Middle Eastern context. Finally, the study examines the contributions of contemporary Eastern Christian leaders to interreligious discourse, concluding that the theology and spirituality of Eastern Christianity, inhabiting the same cultural environment as Islam, is uniquely placed to play a major role in interreligious dialogue and in peace-making. The book offers an original contribution to knowledge and understanding of the changing Christian–Muslim dynamic in Syria and across the region, and therefore should be a key resource for students, scholars and readers interested in religion, current affairs and the Middle East. Andrew W.H. Ashdown is an Anglican priest and holds a PhD from Winchester University. He has been ordained for 30 years and has held responsibility for Church links in West and East Africa and South Asia. For over 30 years, he has been visiting and leading groups on journeys to the Middle East and has been involved in interreligious initiatives in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and in Britain. In recent years, his research has focused on the religious context in Syria and this has included multiple visits to Syria in the midst of the war as a guest of faith leaders in the country. Dr. Ashdown is currently Manager of Good Governance and Advocacy Development for the international charity, ‘Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust’ (HART) UK and continues a priestly ministry. Culture and Civilization in the Middle East Series Editor: Ian Richard Netton, Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Exeter This series studies the Middle East through the twin foci of its diverse cultures and civilisations. Comprising original monographs as well as scholarly surveys, it cov- ers topics in the fields of Middle Eastern literature, archaeology, law, history, phi- losophy, science, folklore, art, architecture and language. While there is a plurality of views, the series presents serious scholarship in a lucid and stimulating fashion. Arabs and Iranians in the Islamic Conquest Narrative Memory and Identity Construction in Islamic Historiography, 750-1050 Scott Savran The Chaldean Catholic Church Modern History, Ecclesiology and Church-State Relations Kristian Girling Text Linguistics of Qur’anic Discourse An Analysis Hussein Abdul-Raof The Early Muslim Conquest of Syria An English Translation of al-Azdī’s Futūḥ al-Shām Hamada Hassanein & Jens Scheiner Bedouin and ‘Abbāsid Cultural Identities The Arabic Majnūn Laylā Story Ruqayya Yasmine Khan Christian–Muslim Relations in Syria Historic and Contemporary Religious Dynamics in a Changing Context Andrew W.H. Ashdown For more information about this series, please visit: https :/ /ww w .rou tledg e .com / midd leeas tstud ies /s e ries /SE03 63 Christian–Muslim Relations in Syria Historic and Contemporary Religious Dynamics in a Changing Context Andrew W.H. Ashdown With a Foreword by H.H. Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East First published 2021 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2021 Andrew W.H. Ashdown The right of Andrew W.H. Ashdown to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Ashdown, Andrew, 1964- author. Title: Christian-Muslim relations in Syria: historic and contemporary religious dynamics in a changing context / Andrew W.H. Ashdown; with a foreword by H.H. Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Orthodox Patriach of Antioch and All the East. Other titles: Culture and civilisation in the Middle East. Description: Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon; New York, Ny: Routledge, 2021. | Series: Culture and civilisation in the Middle East; 62 | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Contents: Christianity in Syria: the ecclesiastical mosaic – Islam in Syria: The Muslim mosaic – Cultural contexts that influence Christian-Muslim relations – Christian-Muslim relations in Syria – Eastern Christian approaches to Christian-Muslim engagement in Syria. Identifiers: LCCN 2020027249 (print) | LCCN 2020027250 (ebook) | ISBN 9780367559137 (hardback) | ISBN 9781003095712 (ebook) | ISBN 9781000244779 (adobe pdf) | ISBN 9781000244793 (epub) | ISBN 9781000244786 (mobi) Subjects: LCSH: Syria–Religion. | Christianity and other religions–Islam. | Islam–Relations–Christianity. | Christianity–Syria. | Eastern churches–Syria. | Islam–Syria. Classification: LCC BL2340 .A78 2021 (print) | LCC BL2340 (ebook) | DC 261.2/7095691–dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020027249 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020027250 ISBN: 978-0-367-55913-7 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-003-09571-2 (ebk) Typeset in Times New Roman by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India This book is dedicated to the people of Syria for their resilience and faith in the face of so much suffering. To all who strive for reconciliation and the preservation of plu- rality in Syrian society. To the friends in Syria who opened their hearts and lives in the midst of war. And to my wife Victoria; children, Edward, Peter, Emily and George and other family and friends who have supported me through this endeavour. I pray this volume will inspire new avenues of understanding, discernment and dialogue. Contents Foreword by His Holiness, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II x Preface xii Acknowledgements xviii Introduction 1 1 Christianity in Syria: The Ecclesiastical Mosaic 33 2 Islam in Syria: The Muslim Mosaic 60 3 Cultural Contexts that Influence Christian–Muslim Relations 96 4 Christian–Muslim Relations in Syria 124 5 Eastern Christian Approaches to Christian–Muslim Engagement in Syria 169 Conclusion 218 Appendix: Questionnaire analysis of Syrian perspectives on Christian–Muslim relations 227 Glossary 241 Index 244

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