Print Issue: May 23, 2002

Sept. 11 Tragedy Spurs Parish To Broaden Interfaith Understanding

M. Moiz Mumtaz, Ph.D. speaks to an audience at St. Peter Chanel Church, Roswell, April 24. The practicing Muslim was invited to share his knowledge about the principles of Islam. Since the Sept. 11 tragedy, Mumtaz has given 20 talks or more to various groups to educate the public and dispel any misconceptions about his faith. (Photo by Michael Alexander)

By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer

ROSWELL - In an effort to promote interfaith harmony, St. Peter Chanel Church, Roswell, recently hosted "Everything You Wanted to Know About Islam but Were Afraid to Ask."

M. Moiz Mumtaz, Ph.D., an authority on Islam and a practicing Muslim, spoke at the parish April 24, presenting the basic principles of his faith. A question and answer session followed, and the church was full of people wanting to learn more about the faith that has been heavily reported on in the media since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Mumtaz is the chairman of education and a preacher at the Islamic Center of North Fulton in Alpharetta. He was born into the Muslim faith in India and attended a private Catholic grade school. He is currently a scientist in the Division of Toxicology (ATSDR) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mumtaz, who has given over 20 presentations on Islam since Sept. 11, said that the terrorist attacks should be abhorred by every human, no matter their faith.

"The Sept. 11 happenings were not only sad for us in the United States, but a disgrace for humanity," he said. "No person, no country, no religion can tolerate such a thing."

Committed to sharing the truths about his faith, Mumtaz said that those who fear Muslims are really afraid of "the unknown."

"I bring to you the practicing aspects of Muslims," he said. "What you hear in the news is not necessarily truth."

Islam is not a cult, Mumtaz said, but promotes "the same message as other major religions."

"God has a very stern rule. We are created only to worship God," he said. "Muslims believe that every action should be performed with an awareness of God, and therefore everything can be considered an act of worship - eating food, talking, sleeping . . ."

Mumtaz explained that the minimum requirements of a practicing Muslim are declaring the faith; prayer- five times a day, preferably at a mosque; fasting; charity - giving that is proportionately fixed, based on income, to serve the poor and needy; and making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in one's lifetime.

Mumtaz said that one aspect of Islam that has gotten particularly tainted by the media has been the treatment of women.

"Women in Islam own property, they receive education. Men and women are treated with respect and equally," he said, adding that both male and female Muslims are expected to dress modestly. "If a particular society oppresses women, it does so in spite of Islam, not because of Islam. There are no restrictions in terms of what a woman can do."

Mumtaz also touched on the subject of jihad, which he says refers to the struggle that Muslims must endure throughout their quest toward heaven.

"The most important struggle, or jihad, is against one's own soul," he said, adding that it is a struggle to eat only pure foods, like the faith requires, and to get up at 4:15 a.m. to pray. It is also a sacrifice to donate money and to make the pilgrimage to Mecca, where they must stay in a tent and on the ground. "This is struggle. This is jihad. It's very important to understand. Jihad is a struggle every day."

Mumtaz said that Islam is "not a religion about anything other than peace, love and affection," and that Muslims are people just like everyone else.

"What makes you happy makes a Muslim happy. What hurts you hurts a Muslim. Your wishes are his wishes. The majority of Muslims will do what's right," he said. "What you see today is extremism to the right or to the left."

Mumtaz then answered several questions posed to him by the audience.

Father Frank McNamee, pastor of St. Peter Chanel, was encouraged by the response Mumtaz received. "He was well received. I think he explained it (Islam) very well, and was very honest and open, and sensitive to our faith."

Mumtaz's visit was part of an ongoing program at St. Peter Chanel for interfaith understanding. For the past several months, students from St. Peter Chanel and adjoining elementary school Queen of Angels have paired with Davis Academy, a Jewish school, and the Clara Muhammad School, an Islamic school, in discussions regarding the improvement of relations between people of different faiths.

Recently eighth-grade students participated with the two schools on a chaperoned retreat to Washington D. C., April 17-21, during which time they attended services at churches, mosques and synagogues, met with elected representatives and visited the important religious and political landmarks.

Bill Miller, who has two children attending Queen of Angels, was instrumental in bringing Mumtaz to speak at St. Peter Chanel and feels that it's important to understand other faiths. He spoke of the upcoming plans for students to spend several school days each year with children of various faiths.

"I want my children to grow up in a better world," he said, adding that children, if taught early, can be accepting and appreciative of other faiths. "Adults, if they are educated, can be more tolerant, but they sometimes have to be demystified. It's like Dr. Mumtaz was saying - it's that fear of the unknown."

Miller said he bought the Koran and has started reading to gain more knowledge about the faith. At the same time, he feels that learning about other religions strengthens his own Catholic faith.

"It challenges me to think of why I'm doing what I'm doing," he said. "It makes me think of my own faith in different ways."

Father McNamee is an enthusiastic supporter of the program. "The kids keep in regular contact. Some of them have gone to movies together and things like that. The important thing is kids have a good contact and are building relationships."

As part of the parish's continuing education, Father McNamee has brought in a Franciscan brother, Tom McGinder, from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and plans on bringing in a rabbi. He is also expecting to speak at a synagogue in Roswell. No speaking engagement has been planned as yet at a mosque.

The interfaith efforts stem from the parish holy hour and prayer for peace and justice every Wednesday that began after Sept. 11.

The prayer time now has become an important fixture in the parish's spiritual life.

The prayer starts at 7 p.m. "We celebrate Mass for peace and justice, and continue with the exposition (of the Blessed Sacrament) and the rosary," Father McNamee said. "People looked for an automatic fix after 9-11, and people can become somewhat complacent (after time has passed since the tragedy). But we will continue to do this, we are going to continue it (indefinitely) and it will be an hour for peace."