As Ramadan begins, we’re reminded of the need to pray for our Muslim friends and coworkers, and the calling we have to witness to them. But how can we make a solid connection with our Muslim acquaintances?

Fouad Masri is the Founder of the Crescent Project, an organization whose goal is to nurture transformational relationships between Christians and Muslims and overcome misconceptions about Islam and Christianity.

Fouad is also the author of Connecting With Muslimsand he joined Dr. Bill Maier to share 4 common misconceptions Christians have about Muslims. He prefaces the discussion by saying,

“Today, the majority of Muslims are what we call ‘nominal’ Muslims. 8 out of 10 have never read the Koran.”

Masri hopes understanding common misconceptions about Muslims will help Christians become more effective witnesses:

1. All Muslims are Arab

Fouad says,

“The majority of Muslims today are non-Arab, and in the last year we have noticed more [non-Arab Muslims] coming to faith in Christ due the fact that they can’t understand the Koran in Arabic and they’re watching…the Arab Spring.”

2. Muslims know about Jesus

Fouad says that the Jesus of the Koran is nothing like the true Jesus of the Bible:

“The view of Muslims of Jesus is that he was just a man, and he came to prepare the way for Mohammed…just because they know the name, doesn’t mean they know the story of Christ or the testimony of Christ.

3. Muslims don’t want to talk about Jesus

Another misconception that many Christians hold is that Muslims have no interest in talking about Christ. Fouad says that’s just not true:

“I’ve been sharing the Gospel since 1979 with Muslims and I can say that every year Muslims are more open than the year before. Every year, we hear of Muslims taking Bibles, talking about Jesus, watching movies about Christ, committing their life to Christ, being baptized.”

4. All Muslims are terrorists

Fouad says the final misconception is not only wrong, but can almost be perceived as insulting:

“The terrorists will always exist. The Jihadis will always exist because Jihad is taught in the Koran…and Mohammed practiced Jihad. So that will always be part of Islam; you can’t get rid of it unless Islam decides they’re going to take these chapters [of the Koran] out. However, most Muslims are not there. Only five percent of every Muslim community is involved in what we call…Jihadi. The majority of Muslims are nominal.”

 

Finally, Fouad encourages Christians to persevere as a witness to their Muslim acquaintances:

“Whether it takes two weeks, two years, or 20 years, God continues to use you in the life of your Muslim friends.”

Fouad Masri

Highlight: 4 misconceptions about Muslims

Masri

Masri

Fouad Masri was born and raised in the war zone of Beirut, Lebanon. As a third-generation pastor, he has a passion for sharing the love of Christ with Muslims and has spent most of his life doing just that. After coming to the United States to attend seminary, Fouad realized the urgency for teaching American Christians to reach out to the growing population of internationals, particularly Muslims. In 1989, he founded Crescent Project to nurture transformational relationships between Christians and Muslims and overcome misconceptions about Islam and Christianity.

Photo: flickr