A look at Shaping the Identity of Muslims

A look at Shaping the Identity of Muslims
Posting Date: 03/05/2012

By John Taylor

Lutheran Pastor Hicham Chehab, left, is
welcomed to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church by
Pastor George Mather on Sunday, Mar. 4. Photo
by John Taylor

“Islam is the second largest religion in the world and Muslims are one of the fastest growing populations on this planet,” said Pastor Hicham Chehab, a visiting speaker at Mesquite Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. “It is important then that we understand whatMuslims are all about,” said Pastor Chehab during a speaking engagement on Sunday, Mar. 4 at the church.
Chehab grew up in Lebanon, which is the country just north of Israel, in the same way many other youngsters in the Middle East grow up, in war torn countries, surrounded by violence, seeing family and friends die and losing their homes and becoming refugees. At age 12, he joined the Muslim Brotherhood which is considered an anti-Western organization in pro-western countries but is considered a religious social organization in Arab countries and which most young Muslims join somewhat like the Boys Scouts in this country.
Chehab was barely a teenager, when civil war broke out in Lebanon and he found himself fighting against Christian militias. He signed up to defend his Muslim community but instead was shelling civilian neighborhoods. Unable to condone the killing of civilians,Chehab turned to his religion and became a Muslim preacher.
“What shapes the identity of a Muslims?” Chehab asked the attentive group in Mesquite's Lutheran church. “You have to go back many centuries to when Christians began demanding their religious beliefs be the law of the land under Constantine the First in the Fourth century. Then they were replaced by the rise of Islam during Arab conquest in the seventh century. They have been fighting every since.” “Geography is very important,” said Chehab. After World War 1, Lebanon was created and made up of 50 percent Christians and 50 percent Muslims. After the creation of the state of Israel, Arab tensions increased and Israel attacked Lebanon in 1948. This was the beginning of problems for Lebanon that continue to this day and is the atmosphere all Muslims grow up in.”
When his brother, who had stayed with the Muslim Brotherhood, was killed by the Christian Militia in 1980, Chehab wanted to drop out of school and wanted revenge. “God had another plan for me though,” he said. “I read a passage in the Bible that said love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. I knew that was what I was meant to be – a peacemaker.”
“Islam is a religion and Muslims are not terrorists. Just like every country, there are militant segments of society. It is my hope to bring reconciliation between Christians and Muslims,” said Chehab.
“I spent most of my career in the Middle East,” said Doug Lawson, a retired oil company executive who attended the lecture. “What the pastor says is true. The two biggest mistakes our country can make in the Middle East is to establish a presence there and to support any military action against Iran over its nuclear program. Iran's nuclear program is not the real issue, hatred is.”
Pastor Chehab immigrated to this country in 2004 after receiving multiple college degrees and a PhD in Islamic studies. He was ordained a Lutheran minister and has taught counter-intelligence agencies and spoken to military terrorism units. The pastor, his wife and four children now live in Chicago where he runs the Salam Christian Fellowship as part of the Chicagoland Lutheran Muslim Mission Association.
“We are very happy to have Pastor Chehab visit our congregation in Mesquite,” said Pastor George Mather of the Prince of Peace. “His story is one of overcoming challenges and finding compassion for his fellow man. We can all learn something from him.”
“Several years ago, I met a Captain of the Christian militia who killed my only brother. As I looked at him, I knew I could either attack him or forgive him,” said Chehab. “I chose to forgive him. I hope this is what will shape Muslims in the future.”