the Glocal Trekker Blog

So, so, so sleepy. Staying up late. Body not switched over - the conference is over and it was well worth it. Got to meet a lot of people from different parts of the world. It was primarily an Islamic Forum - which has been very different in many respects - but incredibly educational. I wound up visiting a lot with Robert Pinsky. He's so dang funny. He's somewhat "Jewish" - so he started telling me Jewish jokes. Then stories - he told me one about how Mormons were getting baptized for all the Jews who died in the Holocaust. He didn't like it. They asked him about it. He said, "No big deal, I'm going to start circumcising dead Mormons!" I've seen him on T.V., etc., doing poetry - calm, erudite - but in private - wild, crazy, and a heck of a lot of fun.

I spoke this morning and it went well. I was given lots of good comments by different people. I had to speak on Governance, Religion, and Politics - where should the lines be drawn, what rights and responsibilities should be accorded to religious minorities? What happens when religious mores and public decisions make a collision on social issues? Is there room for compulsion?

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah was there along with other world leaders and various people. I told briefly about my engagement with Afghan imams and how it had sharpened my faith as a believer. I said if ever there was a need for a Ghandi - that time is now. It may be King Abdullah of Jordan, perhaps the Sheik of Qatar. I dealt with freedom of religion, separation of church and state, protection and practice. I then gave four recommendations: First, partner imams and pastors in 6 global cities for a work project where we sweat together and get to know each other. Second, take turns going to each others’ seminaries. Third, honor each other in our various churches and mosques. Fourth - declare a love war - Elijah showed the true God by calling down fire - let us call down love.

I'm sleepy, tired, a long way to go - ready to get home –