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The Return of Ishmael

To the Reader,


 We are living through extraordinary times within Israel and on 
the world stage. The global struggle for cultural leadership has 
intensified, and much of the world is confused. Questions of 
identity arise from every corner, along with a deep search for 
meaning in life. The spiritual dimension is central in this upheaval, 
and religious leaders are re-examining their roles. The return 
of the Jewish people to their land after a long exile presents a 
theological and cultural challenge to the global community. One 
branch of this phenomenon is the new dialogue between the 
children of Israel and Islam.


 One might have thought such a dialogue would lead to a dead 
end due to the mutual antagonism between Israel and much of 
the Islamic world. In recent years, however, a less prominent 
perspective has emerged within Islam - one that recognizes the 
people of Israel and their state as legitimate interlocutors, not 
for pragmatic reasons but for substantive reasons rooted in 
authentic Muslim sources.


 This expectation has always existed within Jewish thought under 
the term “T’shuvat Yishmael” - the “Return of Ishmael” - a new 
chapter in Islamic theology. A few of the fruits of this awakening 
are presented here for the reader who feels a desire to repair 
the world.


 Oury Cherki

Description

To the Reader,


 We are living through extraordinary times within Israel and on 
the world stage. The global struggle for cultural leadership has 
intensified, and much of the world is confused. Questions of 
identity arise from every corner, along with a deep search for 
meaning in life. The spiritual dimension is central in this upheaval, 
and religious leaders are re-examining their roles. The return 
of the Jewish people to their land after a long exile presents a 
theological and cultural challenge to the global community. One 
branch of this phenomenon is the new dialogue between the 
children of Israel and Islam.


 One might have thought such a dialogue would lead to a dead 
end due to the mutual antagonism between Israel and much of 
the Islamic world. In recent years, however, a less prominent 
perspective has emerged within Islam - one that recognizes the 
people of Israel and their state as legitimate interlocutors, not 
for pragmatic reasons but for substantive reasons rooted in 
authentic Muslim sources.


 This expectation has always existed within Jewish thought under 
the term “T’shuvat Yishmael” - the “Return of Ishmael” - a new 
chapter in Islamic theology. A few of the fruits of this awakening 
are presented here for the reader who feels a desire to repair 
the world.


 Oury Cherki

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