The family of Abraham traditionally included the three faiths, but lately, many people see Islam as an illegitimate member of the family, unwelcome in the house of Abraham. Historically, for Christians, this role was relegated to the Jewish members as "disinherited" siblings. Jews, however, for most Christians at least, have become full members of the family in good standing. Is this a possibility for the Muslims, or does the Quranic verse "The Jews and the Christians will never be pleased with you until you follow their way," obviate that possibility?
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About Dr. Yusuf
Hamza Yusuf is president and senior faculty member of Zaytuna College (Berkeley, California), America's first accredited Muslim liberal arts college.
He is an advisor to the Center for Islamic Studies at Berkeley's Graduate Theological Union. Yusuf also serves as vice president for the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies (Abu Dhabi), which was founded and is currently presided over by Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah, a world-renowned Muslim scholar and jurist. In addition, Yusuf has joined the Emirates Fatwa Council under the leadership of Shaykh Abdallah.
He is the author of several books and scholarly articles, while also translating major creedal Islamic texts into English, including Purification of the Heart, The Content of Character, The Creed of Imam al-Tahawi, Caesarean Moon Births, Prayer of the Oppressed, and Agenda to Change our Condition.
Recently, Hamza Yusuf was ranked as "the Western world's most influential Islamic scholar" by The Muslim 500, edited by John Esposito and Ibrahim Kalin.
Along with his extensive training in the Western liberal arts, Yusuf has studied Arabic and the Islamic sciences for over 40 years with leading scholars of the Muslim world.
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The Everding Distinguished Lectureship Program
Established through a gift from Prof. H. Edward and Lee Palmer Everding, this endowed lectureship is a project of the Iliff School of Theology and Saint John's Cathedral aimed at enhancing interfaith dialogue and interreligious learning throughout the community through annual lectures from outstanding visiting teachers.