The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto promises to become a vital force, not because it represents the majority of Muslims but because it stands for what’s best in Islam.
It is bound to grow in importance in years to come in our understanding of this great world religion.
– Dow Marmur, Rabbi Emeritus
(Image: Aaron Vincent Elkaim / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
By: Dow Marmur Columnist, Published on Sun Jan 04 2015 8 pm EST
The rule formulated by the late Swedish-American theologian Krister Stendahl that I’ve cited before in this column helps us to understand the essence of interfaith and intercultural relations: always compare their best with your best, not their worst with your best.
At a time when we often read reports of horrendous atrocities in different parts of the world committed by Muslims against “infidels” and other Muslims, it behooves us to recognize that such murderous excesses are aberrations of Islam, not its true manifestations.
The new Aga Khan Museum in Toronto provides ample opportunities to see Islam at its best. Its promotional brochure states that the “unparalleled manuscripts, drawings, paintings, decorated ceramics, metalwork and architectural ornamentations” on display are “to inform, educate and inspire audiences about the arts of Muslims civilizations.” They do all that and much more.
The Ismailis are few in number compared to other Muslims in the world, but their contribution, together with the contribution of other liberal Muslims, toward our understanding of what authentic Islam is about is invaluable.
Seen in this light, the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto promises to become a vital force, not because it represents the majority of Muslims but because it stands for what’s best in Islam. It is bound to grow in importance in years to come in our understanding of this great world religion. Non-Muslims have every reason to wish the museum success in its sacred endeavour.
The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto provides ample opportunities to see Islam at its best, Dow Marmur writes. More >> Toronto Star | Aga Khan Museum showcases best in Islam: Marmur
Dow Marmur is rabbi emeritus at Toronto’s Holy Blossom Temple. His column appears every other week.
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