Former Muslim Speaks on Understanding Islam

by Chris Wilson

For the next four weeks, executive director of the Global Faith Institute Dr. Mark Christian will present the series “Understanding Islam.” The series discusses the founding of Islam, its history with the prophet Muhammad, the difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, and Christian’s own religious experiences.

The first session began on Feb. 9 with both Concordia students and members of the Seward community in the audience. In the session, Christian discussed his life story as a formerly devout Muslim and imam, or pastor, and his conversion to Christianity in 2003.

Christian, originally named Muhammad Abdullah, had been a Sunni Muslim since the age of five. He had practiced the fasting of Ramadan before he was at the expected age to do so.

His great-uncle was a founding member of the Muslim Brotherhood. His father was a member of the Brotherhood, an imam, a lieutenant general of the Egyptian military and the family physician for the Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

While living in Heliopolis, a suburb of Cairo, Christian’s father built seven madrasas (schools) and three mosques in the area.

“I did not just learn about the Muslim faith, I lived it,” Christian said.

Along with Christian’s life story, Christian gave a brief overview of the Islamic faith from his personal experiences that would lead him to Christianity.

He was not prompted by any violence or event, but instead became a Christian through extensive study of the Quran, the way that Allah was presented to him at a young age, and the experiences of living in the Islamic faith today.

“We cannot understand by picking and choosing selected aspects of Islam,” Christian said.

Although Christian left the Islamic faith, he made it clear that he is not Islamophobic and has no intention of encouraging people to treat Muslims unfairly. Instead, he teaches people a way to be both better citizens and better witnesses to the Muslim community.

These sessions will take place in Weller Auditorium 7-8:30 p.m. each Tuesday until March 8.