Radical Arab terrorists, flying commercial airplanes into American landmarks, killing thousands of innocent citizens.

Sound like Islam to you? If youre an American, that stereotype may be your image of this rapidly growing faith. But, in truth, very few Muslims are terrorists or even have sympathy for terrorists. Many have expressed horror and outrage at the events of recent weeks. In fact, analysis and commentary suggest that some Muslims may be questioning their faith, presenting opportunities for sharing Christ with Muslim neighbors whomore attuned than ever to nuances of perception and treatmentmay be open to the gospel for the first time in their lives.

Why? And why now? Muslims must deal with the unflattering picture of Islam that these violent acts insinuate about their religion as the world watches. They may begin questioning their faith, wondering why some Islamic leaders hold to such views. They also may be struggling with fear that violence will be initiated against them because they are followers of Islam or because they are of Middle Eastern or Asian heritage.

Will we respond to our Muslim neighbors with hatred or love, fear or trust, indifference or hope? Will on mission Christians recognize that our first stepeven our first responsibilityto bridging the gap is understanding?

Editor

Most Americans dont know much about Islam or misunderstand its followers.

What creates those kinds of misconceptions? It can happen in any religion. Consider fanatics who claim that their attitudes are based on the Christian faith: white-supremacist groups, cults like Branch Davidians and abortion-clinic bombers.

Misconception 1 about Islam: All Muslims are Arabs.
Truth: The largest Muslim country in the world is Indonesia, followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Arabic is the language of the Quran, the Islamic scriptures, but most Muslims in the world are Asian, rather than of Arab descent.

Misconception 2 about Islam: All Muslims hate Jews and Christians.
Truth: Sunni Islam, the largest branch, believes that Jews and Christians are dhimmis or people of the book. Dhimmis are protected by Islamic law and can practice their religion freely.

Misconception 3 about Islam: All Muslims are radical fundamentalists who are dangerous terrorists.
Truth: Although some Muslims are radicals who practice violence and tolerate hate, the word Islam means submission to God. The Quran teaches peaceful tolerance of the opponents of Islam.

We as Christians believe in submitting ourselves to the power and love of God. If Muslims truly value submitting to God, then once they see how Christ has changed our lives, they will be in a truth-seeking frame of mind when the Holy Spirit draws them to recognize Christ as the only answer.

What Muslims believe
Islam, the religion of more than six million Americans and almost one billion people worldwide, was conceived as the true way to follow God (Allah) by Muhammad, who claimed he transcribed the exact words of Allahs angel into scriptures that Muslims call the Quran. Muhammad, who lived in the seventh century A.D., claimed to be the last and greatest in a series of prophets who included Abraham, Moses and Jesus. While Muslims believe that Jesus was a great man and even virgin-born, they dont believe He is the messiah or God incarnate.

Muslims trust in the teaching of the Quran which details five principles (or pillars) that form the basis for living as a true Muslim with the hope of paradise (heaven). The five pillars are: 1) the confession of faith (There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet); 2) prayer (five times a day facing toward Mecca); 3) fasting during the month of Ramadan, a celebration of holy days in November; 4) almsgiving; and 5) pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once during a lifetime. Muslims believe they will be judged at the end of time by God based on their observance of the five pillars and the teachings of the Quran. Muslims reject the idea of the Trinity and hold to a strong belief in the oneness of God.

Dos and donts as you build bridges to Muslims

• Listen. Listen to learn as your foundation for friendship and to build credibility so you can share your faith to a receptive audience.

• Recognize the importance of family in Islamic culture. Muslims who convert to Christianity often face persecution and being outcast from their families and communities in some Islamic countries.

• Know your Bible. You may face a Muslim who is well versed in the Bible. Be sure you know what you are talking about, but admit it when you are uncertain.

• Live your faith. Let them see Christ in you. Arguments and debates alone wont cut it.

• Emphasize the importance of Jesus. Good works as a path to salvation misses the truth of Christs sacrifice for them and Gods will for their lives.

• Call them Moslems or Moham-medans. The correct term is followers of Islam, or simply Muslims.

• Become emotional, hostile or offended! Theres enough hostility and misunderstanding between Christian and Islamic cultures already.

• Make assumptions about their loyalties. Many Muslims have moved to the United States, become citizens and are proud Americans. Most condemn violence and reject terrorism.

Resources:The Cross or the Crescent: Understanding Islam, a resource kit including a 75-minute videotape, instructional guide and teachers manual, offers an eye-opening look at a rapidly-growing religion that is suddenly under much scrutiny: the history of Islam, Islam in North America, the faith and practices of Islam and valuable insights on sharing Christ in lovingly appropriate ways. The Cross or the Crescent is available at LifeWay Christian Stores or may be ordered by phone 800-448-8032, fax 615-251-5983 or www.lifewaystores.com.

For an informative Belief Bulletin about Islam, check out NAMBs Interfaith Evangelism Team Web site: www.namb.net/evangelism/iev.

William G. Wells is an editor, Mission Education Team, at NAMB.