Buies Creek, N.C.– How and where did Islam begin? What are the dangers of the radical form of Islam practiced by Osama bin Laden and his followers? What can the world expect in the 21st century from its fastest-growing religion?Dr. George Braswell, Senior Professor of World Religions at the Campbell Divinity School, attempted to unveil the mysteries surrounding Islam at the second in a series of workshops and lectures on world religions sponsored by Campbell’s World Religions and Global Cultures Center.Established in 2007, the purpose of the center is to foster greater awareness and understanding of the diverse cultural and religious groups represented in today’s world in order to create greater opportunities for Christian relationships and relational ministries. Directed by Braswell, the center offers a course in world religions and cultures for divinity students, as well as work shops and speaking opportunities for students, ministers and religious leaders.Another major purpose of the center is to share information about various religions with local churches. The center has also initiated a certificate program in which students and others may qualify to teach and train church groups in various religions and cultures.As part of the program on Islam, participants were given background and vital information on the history and practices of Islam; the essential personalities of the Bible and the Qur’an and communicating the Christian faith to Muslim peoples from Braswell and other lecturers. A panel discussion, directed by Braswell and Dr. Barry Jones, associate dean of the Divinity School, in which speakers and participants could ask questions and make observations was also part of the program. In addition, participants were presented the unique opportunity to observe Muslim culture and religious faith first-hand by visiting Mosques in Raleigh and Chapel Hill. “In the latter half of the 20th century, Europe and the United States saw increased Muslim populations,” Braswell said in his lecture. “Muslims and Muslim organizations have become significant with presence and power in the political economic, religious and social affairs. In order to understand the hearts and minds of the Muslim people, we must understand the Islamic religion and culture.”Other lecturers included Dr. Charles Beckett, former missionary to Pakistan for 13 years and executive director of the Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam in Richmond, Va., and the Reverends Butch and Nell Green, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionaries to Muslims and internationals.Photo copy: Dr. George Braswell, Senior Professor of World Religions at the Campbell Divinity School, displays articles of clothing worn in the Islamic culture. (Photo by Shannon Ryals)
Campbell’s World Religions and Global Cultures Center focuses on Islam