A New Muslim Vision: Rebuilding Solomon’s Temple Together

The unique importance of the Temple Mount to Judaism and to Islam makes the location vulnerable to tensions and conflicts between Jews and Muslims. Usually, these incidents originate in rumors such as: “The Jews are coming today to bomb the mosques and build their Third Temple.” Obviously, false accusations and baseless suspicions like these turn the site from a holy place of prayer and love into a site of violent political demonstrations. And, consequently, potential escalation of tension brings more restrictions and discomfort to all. Who benefits from this? Surely not the believers . . . As a devout Muslim, it would be a joy for me to see Prophet Solomon’s Temple rebuilt as well. No, you did not hear me wrong. Prophet Solomon’s Temple being rebuilt in all its magnificence and glory would be a great delight for me, as it would be to any Muslim.(full article)

Turkey’s Cemal Uşak hails new pope as ‘new hope’

Leading Turkish intellectual Cemal Uşak believes the election of Pope Francis brings “new hope” for inter-faith relations. Uşak is Secretary General of Turkey’s Inter-cultural Dialogue Platform and Vice President of the Journalists and Writers’ Foundation. Uşak told euronews: “We can say that the dialogue between Muslims and Christians and others in the time of Pope Benedict was close to zero. The new pope is Jesuit – the first Jesuit pope. This decision of the Vatican is revolutionary.” “From this point of view I think the new pope represents an opportunity for Muslims and for members of other faith groups. And also for humanity and for world peace,” Uşak added. (full article)