Priest surveys Islam for Catholic audience

Father Kane, who is also pastor of St. Helen's Church in Niskayuna, told participants "there is a relationship between Catholicism and Islam," and distributed the Church's official statements on Islam, including declarations from Pius XI, Paul VI and John Paul II.

The purpose of his lecture, which was primarily to diocesan employees, was to introduce a faith that has come under scrutiny in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Definitions

There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, a number second only to followers of Christianity. He told the group that 85 percent of Muslims in the U.S. were born here; 30 percent of that number are from south Asia, while nearly one-third are African-Americans.

He added that 15 percent of the world's Muslims are Arab but "not all Arabs are Muslims. There are Arab Christians, Palestinian Christians and Egyptian Christians."

He also noted that there are between 2,500 and 10,000 Muslims in the Capital District, who attend six mosques -- two in Schenectady, and one each in Troy, Albany, Colonie and Guilderland.

Statistics

* Jews and Catholics are considered by Muslims to also be "people of the Book" because they, too, believe in the one God of Abraham, and follow the Old and New Testaments;

* Jesus is considered by Muslims to be one of five great prophets; and

* Islam teaches that Mary was the virgin mother of Jesus. Muslims have a great devotion to Mary, mentioning her frequently in their holy book, the Quran.

Differences

* Muslims do not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. They do not believe in the Holy Trinity or, therefore, the Holy Spirit;

* Muslims follow a "kosher" diet, similar to that of Jews, not eating pork or shellfish, nor consuming alcohol;

* They refer to God as "Allah," and there are 99 known names for Allah but one that is secret, known only to the leaders of Islam;

* They believe that their last and greatest prophet, Muhammad, was given the contents of the Quran in a revelation, not by Allah himself, but by the archangel Gabriel; and

* Muhammad is the last of 25 prophets that Muslims believe in, a list that includes Moses, Noah, Abraham and Jesus.

Pillars

1. Shahadah, or bearing witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, the one God, and that Muhammad is his messenger;

2. Salah, offering prayers five times each day;

3. Zakah, paying 2.5 percent of one's net savings to take care of the poor;

4. Sawm, observing a dawn-to-dusk fast during the month of Ramadan, the month in which Gabriel revealed the Quran to Muhammad; and

5. Hajj, or pilgrimage, when Muslims are required to visit Mecca (at least once in their lifetime, if they can afford it).

In addition, there are six principles of faith for a Muslim that include belief in Allah, His angels, His books (the Old Testament, New Testament and the Quran), His messengers or prophets, the day of judgement, and predestination.

Tolerance

"Hatred for Christians and Jews is not found in the Quran," he stated.

(For more information on Islam, turn to page 29. Contact the Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at 453-6660. Father Kane also suggested www.islamicity.com for in-depth information on the beliefs and practices of Islam, as well as a link to verses from the Quran.)

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