Hajj acts illustrate similarities in religions

When Muslims mark the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, or hajj, later this month, the central figure in their religious celebrations will be the Prophet Abraham, not the Prophet Muhammad as one might suppose. That fact offers an excellent opportunity for Muslims, Christians and Jews to recognize their shared religious heritage and to promote a common future as people of faith. Each year, Muslims in American and around the world conclude their hajj with a holiday called Eid ul-Adha (eed-al-ODD-ha), or "festival of the sacrifice." Eid ul-Adha signifies not only the end of the pilgrimage, it also commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son at God's command. (Muslims believe it was Ishmael that God asked to be sacrificed.) One of the central rites of hajj, the largest and oldest annual gatherings on Earth, is the stoning by the pilgrims of three pillars representing Satan's temptation of Abraham and his rejection of that enticement. The stoning indicates the pilgrim's similar rejection of evil deeds. Other hajj rites also focus on Abraham and his family. Pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the simple stone building Muslims believe was originally built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. The Kaaba is viewed as the first sanctuary on Earth dedicated to the worship of the One God. Pilgrims also perform the Sa'i, or "hastening" between two small hills near the Kaaba, to commemorate Hagar's desperate search for water to offer her son Ishmael. Muslims call Abraham the "friend" of God. The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: "Who can be better in faith than one who submits his whole self to God, does good and follows the way of Abraham, the true in faith? For God did take Abraham for a friend." (4:125) Another verse in the Quran portrays Abraham as the "father" of all believers. "Strive in the way of God as you ought to strive with sincerity and discipline. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in the observance of your faith - the faith of your father Abraham." (22:78) Yet another verse confirms Abraham is part of the brotherhood of God's prophets. "(O Muhammad), We have sent revelations to you just as We sent to Noah and the Prophets who came after him. We also sent revelations to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, his descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms." (4:163) Muslims mention Abraham along with the Prophet Muhammad in their daily prayers. It is sometimes easy to focus on the very real differences in faith and religious practice. But we all need to make the effort to find out what we have in common and to communicate those shared beliefs. People claiming to speak in the name of their faith sparked the recent downward spiral of interfaith mistrust and hostility. It is time for the majority of Muslims, Christians and Jews to stand up and say they will not let the fringe of any faith group dictate how they view and interact with each other. Through hajj, Abraham has united Muslims for more than 14 centuries. The real challenge is for all of Abraham's children - Muslims, Christians and Jews - to unite for the common good of humanity. (by Nihad Awad)