All Doors Opened

Previous issues

INITIATIVES
Academic Commandos

RESEARCH
Open Research Day
Dealing With Stress, the Natural Way
Setting the Computer's Sights
Democracy is Not the Key to Peace in the Middle East
Islam and Christianity
Punctuating Mozart
Reshaping Distance Education

TECHNOLOGY
E-reader
Hybrid Books

GRADUATES
Prof. Gidi Gross: Cancer Researcher
Israel Adam: From Slum Alcoholic to Honors Student and a Master's Degree
All Doors Opened to Elishai Ezra
The Open University as His Greatest Challenge in Life: Sharli Afanger

STUDENTS
Walking in Their Footsteps in Ashdod
University Student Since 8th Grade

MILESTONES
Prof. Hagit Messer-Yaron
Prof. Ron Weidberg
Dr. Yuval Eylon
Dr. Adia Mendelsohn-Maoz
Prof. Aviva Halamish
Dr. Ophir Munz-Manor
Dr. Baruch Ziv
Dr. Milly Perry
Dr. Yoav Yair
SuperBrand University

EVENTS
Dance with Your Fears
Heavens Above

RESEARCH
Islam and Christianity: Can They Co-Exist? ...continued from previous page. Moderate Islam Bringing into play his unique perspective of the Oriental-Semitic otherness of Ethiopia combined with its African-ness, Prof. Erlich believes that Ethiopia's legacies of tolerance and understanding will enable "the country to come to terms with moderate Islam." His unusual and penetrating analysis of the recent war between Ethiopia and Somalia, whereby he not only reconstructed the strategic drama, but also closely followed the internal discussions among the various groups, offers an exquisite example of why this can come to fruition. When in December 2006, a Taliban-like government was in place in Somalia, threatening Jihad against Ethiopia, the Ethiopian army invaded the country and remained there for the next two years. This action brought to a head the confrontation between Islam and Christianity in the Horn of Africa, revealing, once again, the perspectives of Moslems vis a vis Christians. "While on the Islamic side, it exposed the ultimate demonization of others, it also enabled a moderate Islamic camp to regroup and express its praise of Ethiopia, because historically it was tolerant and saved the early supporters of the prophet," Prof. Erlich explains. This exposition was mirrored on the Christian side, "where one camp demonized Islam, while another camp called upon historically neighborly relations, and the country's close identification with the Middle East." By following the discussions on both sides, and illuminating them against a historical background of religious perceptions and political, military and diplomatic developments in the Horn of Africa since the late 19th century, Prof. Erlich is convinced that "we can choose to be inspired by messages of understanding or messages of militancy." The moderates are choosing the former. Historically speaking, there is hope that this will and can continue. Page: 1 2 3

RESEARCH

Islam and Christianity: Can They Co-Exist?

...continued from previous page.

Moderate Islam

Bringing into play his unique perspective of the Oriental-Semitic otherness of Ethiopia combined with its African-ness, Prof. Erlich believes that Ethiopia's legacies of tolerance and understanding will enable "the country to come to terms with moderate Islam."

His unusual and penetrating analysis of the recent war between Ethiopia and Somalia, whereby he not only reconstructed the strategic drama, but also closely followed the internal discussions among the various groups, offers an exquisite example of why this can come to fruition.

When in December 2006, a Taliban-like government was in place in Somalia, threatening Jihad against Ethiopia, the Ethiopian army invaded the country and remained there for the next two years. This action brought to a head the confrontation between Islam and Christianity in the Horn of Africa, revealing, once again, the perspectives of Moslems vis a vis Christians.

"While on the Islamic side, it exposed the ultimate demonization of others, it also enabled a moderate Islamic camp to regroup and express its praise of Ethiopia, because historically it was tolerant and saved the early supporters of the prophet," Prof. Erlich explains.

This exposition was mirrored on the Christian side, "where one camp demonized Islam, while another camp called upon historically neighborly relations, and the country's close identification with the Middle East."

By following the discussions on both sides, and illuminating them against a historical background of religious perceptions and political, military and diplomatic developments in the Horn of Africa since the late 19th century, Prof. Erlich is convinced that "we can choose to be inspired by messages of understanding or messages of militancy." The moderates are choosing the former.

Historically speaking, there is hope that this will and can continue.

Page: 1 2 3