Nashville Christians, Muslims find common ground

Christians and Muslims share common ground today, just like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X saw some things the same more than 50 years ago.

That was the theme of an open house Saturday hosted by the Islamic Center of Nashville that brought about 50 people of different backgrounds to the center on 12th Avenue South. They listened to Muslim and Christian perspectives on two civil rights leaders who famously disagreed on the philosophy of nonviolence but agreed on the struggle.

"People from different faiths can work together in dealing with problems with society, human rights issues and civil rights issues," said Rashed Fakhruddin, president of the center. "When we work together, there's a lot we can accomplish."

Headlining the event were talks from two civil rights scholars from Nashville: Lewis Baldwin, retired professor of religious studies at Vanderbilt University and an ordained Baptist minister, and Amiri Al-Hadid, a retired professor from Tennessee State University, where he chaired the African studies department.

The two have co-written a new book — "Between Cross and Crescent: Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Malcolm and Martin" — that explores both the interconnections and tension between King and Malcolm X.

Differences between the religions often are highlighted, but the scholars Saturday pointed to similarities.

"One of the best favors you can do for your spiritual development is Christians read the Koran, and if you're Muslim, read the Bible," Al-Hadid said. "The narrative is the same.

"Now, I don't know how we went off the path, but the same Abraham that is in the Koran is in the Bible. The same Moses that's in the Bible is in the Koran. Genesis. Exodus — same story."

Among those in attendance was Fred Fielder, who teaches a Sunday school class at Clark Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville.

"Quite often the Islam religion comes up in that class," Fielder said. "So, I decided to go and try to find out as much information as I can about Muslims so that we would not go on speculation, which so often happens in communities.

"What I found out was that Muslims are very close to Christian. They're not far apart at all. And I was surprised about that."

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison.

Upcoming events

The Islamic Center of Nashville, at 2515 12th Ave. South, routinely hosts public events.

• The center is holding an event called Islam 101: Beliefs, Practices and Misconceptions at 11:30 a.m. on March 21.

• A diversity brunch is set for the center at 11 a.m. on April 11.