How should Christians respond to issues involving the Islamic world? Tonight, March 22, three Biola professors will address this question in the panel discussion, “Christian Responses to Islamic Fundamentalism.”  

In light of recent terrorist attacks and the refugee crisis in the Middle East, Moussa Bongoyok, professor of intercultural studies, Judith Mendelsohn-Rood, professor of history and Middle Eastern studies, and Victor Khalil, professor of modern languages, are partnering to discuss the critical topics of Islamophobia and Christian-Muslim relations.

“When we see current events in Islam in general, with all the terrible things happening in the Middle East, the refugee crisis — it’s touching Europe, it’s touching North America, things are happening in Africa — and people are asking questions,” said Bongoyok.

Khalil also worries that students are not fully informed regarding the Muslim-centric issues that are taking place around them.

“Our students are just hearing one side of the story, and there are good things, good sides of the story that we don’t know, we don’t hear,” said Khalil. “And we are mostly just getting the negative about Muslims in general, and what our government thinks about Muslims.”

Bongoyok stresses that a knowledge of Islamic culture is not only a strength, but a necessity in today’s world. According to NPR, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, and Muslims are predicted to make up 30 percent of the world by 2050.

“There is no field of work today where an expertise or a basic knowledge of Islam is not important or needed,” said Bongoyok. “No matter what career [students] will have in the future, they will have to deal with issues related to Islam. So it is very important for them to get all of the preparation, all of the equipping they need for the future.”

Rood hopes that through this panel, and through further discussions, Biola students will begin to cross the bridge that so often divides Christians in their perceptions of Muslims. Rood notes that many times, Christians are split into two camps: those that are attempting to form relationships with Muslims, and those that lean towards xenophobia— a fear of strangers or foreigners.

She also hopes students would have a renewed awareness of the spiritual warfare taking place not only in Christian circles, but all over the world due to tonight’s panel.

“Over and over again in history we see God scattering people, shattering their lives and forcing them to leave with nothing,” said Rood. “And I think that’s happening in the Muslim world. That there is something spiritual that is happening in the diaspora of Syria and Iraqi moderate Muslims and Christians that have been scattered, and you can see them turning back to the God of Israel.”

Reports have begun to come in from around the world of Muslims converting to Christianity amidst intense persecution, and Rood notes that she has heard of a recent surge in Muslims who are beginning to turn to Christ, and hopes that Biola students and Christians around the world would open their arms to new believers and help disciple them.

“We get many reports of people who have dreams and visions about Jesus who makes himself known, and yet they’re not discipled,” said Rood. “So will our churches become places of discipleship and welcome? Or are we going to live in fear and be afraid when somebody shows up? I’m afraid that for right now, people are very fearful and angry, and they’re not going to be nice to Muslims, but we have to find the right way to speak to this issue.”

Rood, Bongoyok and Khalil hope that through this panel, the Biola community will glean both cultural awareness and a renewed sense of urgency for the importance of ministry to Muslims.

“This is important for your future, in being better equipped for whatever ministry God has in store for you,” said Bongoyok. “I think it’s important for Biola to realize that we cannot impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ if we neglect Islam.”

“Christian Responses to Islamic Fundamentalism” will be held in the library courtyard from 6-7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Learn more about Biola’s Islamic Studies minor, Middle East Studies minor, and Arabic courses.

Written by Kathryn Toombs, Public Relations Intern. For more information contact Jenna Loumagne at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.loumagne@biola.edu.