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Blackwell Publishing, Ltd. Oxford, UK MUWO The Muslim World 0027-4909 © 2005 Hartford Seminary 95 3 ORIGINAL ARTICLE
FG ‘P B’ The Muslim World V 95 2005
Fethullah Gülen and
the ‘People of the Book’:
A Voice from Turkey for
Interfaith Dialogue
Zeki Saritoprak
John Carroll University
Cleveland, Ohio
Sidney Griffith
The Catholic University of America
Washington, D. C.
T
he term “People of the Book” or Ahl al-kitab is mentioned in the Qur’an
twenty-four times, referring to Christians and Jews in particular. The
context of these Qur’anic references varies. Some of these verses praise
the People of the Book for their righteousness and good deeds and faith in the
Afterlife (Qur’an 3.113). Others rebuke the People of the Book for not
following the way of God (Qur’an 3.99). A group of these verses invite the
People of the Book to a common ground between Muslims and themselves
(Qur’an 3.64). Another group of these verses indicates an intimate relationship
between Muslims and Christians (Qur’an 5.82). The relationship between
Muslims and the People of the Book, Jews and Christians, has been a subject
of discussion among Muslims throughout the centuries. Islam’s long-time
ecumenical roots are easily traced to the famous verse in the Qur’an:
Say (O Prophet Muhammad): Oh People of the Book! Come to an
agreement between us that we will not worship other than God, and
that we shall ascribe no partner unto him, and that none of us shall take
others for lords beside God . . . (Qur’an, 3:64)
This verse, revealed in the ninth year of the Hijra (629 CE), is one of the
greatest ecumenical calls of Prophet Muhammad’s time. The sources of Islamic
law have dedicated certain chapters to explain the legal status of the People