Did you read this? | interesting reads across the web

:: Jesus as an unifying force @ On Faith by Newsweek- Washington

(( The concept of Jesus Christ as the Son of God has been a very contentious theological issue between Muslims and Jews on one side and Christians on the other. However, I personally see Jesus as a great potential source of unity between the Abrahamic faiths ... It may be surprising to some Christians that Jesus is considered a great prophet by Muslims. Indeed Jesus is a focal point in the Quran. He is mentioned more often in the Quran than even the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet himself said that there is no one closer to Jesus in love and reverence than him. )) - Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University

:: New Ideas from a Jewish Dreamer @ Time

(( In 1994, Rodger Kamenetz helped shift the spiritual center of liberal Judaism. His book The Jew in the Lotus combined the chronicle of a delegation of Jews visiting the Dalai Lama with an investigation into the possibilities for meditative mysticism in a Jewish context. The avid curiosity it provoked helped launch a thousand Kabbalah classes. Kamenetz's follow-up, Stalking Elijah: Adventures with Today's Jewish Mystical Masters, won the National Jewish Book Award. But his latest offering, The History of Last Night's Dream, diverges in content and tone. TIME's David Van Biema wondered whether he was straying from his fan base. )) interview with Rodger Kamenetz on Mystical Jewish Dreamworks.

:: No Religion is an Island @ On Faith by Newsweek- Washington

(( From an Islamic perspective I should add two more things here. First, I should bring to the attention of the uninformed that in Islam one of the ninety-nine names of the Creator is love. He is the source and author of love and without his Rahman and Rahim which are two of his Divine Names, affirming both sides of his power and manifestation of love in this life and in the hereafter. )) by Sulayman Nyang, Scholar of African and Muslim affairs.

:: Muslim scholars reach out to Pope via BBC News

(( More than 130 Muslim scholars have written to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders urging greater understanding between the two faiths. ))

:: Voices from the capital of Sufism via Turkish Daily News

(( The big master of Sufi Islam, Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi was praised in his beloved city, Konya, on his 800th birthday. Hundreds of dervishes and thousands of Konyans celebrated Rumi’s gospel of love ))

note: i am starting this new section by the title, Did you read this? - bringing interesting, variety article highlights, news items or contemporary thoughts on religion and faith that broadens the perspective. if you happen to come across any interesting news articles, you may suggest via email here mysticsaint [at] gmail [dot] com .. also i can update the post with new stories added via comments.

"Minds, once broadened, cannot retain their initial confines."