Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road: Exploring a New Path Between Two Faiths

Today's tensions between the "Islamic" East and "Christian" West run high. Here Paul-Gordon Chandler presents fresh thinking in the area of Christian-Muslim relations, showing how Jesus --whom Islam reveres as a Prophet and Christianity see as the divine Messiah--can close the gap between the two religions. Historically, Christians have often taken a confrontational approach toward Islam, leading many Muslims to identify the Christian faith with the cultural prejudices and hegemonic ambitions of Westerners. Chandler boldly explores how these two major religions--which share much common heritage--cannot only co-exist, but also enrich each other.  He illustrates his perspective with examples from the life of Syrian novelist Mazhar Mallouhi,widely read in the Middle East. Mallouhi, a self-identified "Sufi Muslim follower of Christ," seeks to bridge the chasm of misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians through his life and writings.

Paul-Gordon Chandler is an Episcopal priest, interfaith advocate, art curator and social entrepreneur who has lived and worked in the Middle East and North Africa for many years.  Having grown up in Senegal, West Africa, he has lived and worked extensively throughout the Islamic world in leadership roles within faith-based publishing, relief and development agencies and with the Episcopal Church.  From 2003-2013 he was the Rector of the international Episcopal church in Cairo, Egypt. He is the Founder and President of CARAVAN, a peacebuilding non-profit, that uses the arts to build bridges between the creeds and cultures of the Middle East andWest.  The author of several books, his acclaimed book on Muslim-Christian relations is Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road: Exploring a New Path Between Two Faiths (Rowman & Littlefield). He can be reached via paulgordonchandler.com