Egyptian televangelist tries to bridge Islam and West
Popular Egyptian muslim preacher threatened for
trying to bring mutual understanding between followers of Islam and
Westerners.
Islamic televangelist Amr Khaled is young, smiling, teaches love and mercy and is so popular he’s credited with inspiring thousands of women — turned off by dour, traditional clerics — to take on the veil.
Now he’s putting his popularity on the line by trying a new role, as a bridge between Islam and the West at a time when many are talking about a clash of civilizations.
The 38-year-old Egyptian raised a storm of controversy when he attended a March 9 dialogue conference of European and Muslim leaders in Copenhagen — the capital of Denmark, which has been the focus of anger across the Islamic world over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad first published in a Danish paper.
Khaled is not the only Muslim religious leader promoting dialogue. But he has become one of the most outspoken.
And he brings the huge fan base of a pop star: young people, women and the middle and upper middle class.
He built his popularity over more than 10 years of preaching, with a style far from that of traditional clerics, who are distinct with their beards and robes and whose sermons often emphasize the demands of Islam and the threat of damnation and hellfire.
In contrast, Khaled is known for his stylish suits and his broad smile. In his sermons, he has avoided politics and stressed God’s mercy, seeking to show how one can be a good Muslim while still enjoying the activities of modern life.
I wish this dude — Good Luck.
Posted: Tue - March 21, 2006 at 07:20 AM