the Glocal Trekker Blog

Today, I leave for Doha, Qatar to be a part of the U.S. Islamic World Forum. I'm very excited about it. I was invited after Chris Seiple recommended me. The main sessions are things like: How do we see each other and what are our different narratives? The conflicts that divide us, finding a productive way forward. Heading off a clash of civilizations. I'll be speaking 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 decision making collide on social issues? Is there room for compulsion in religion? The Brookings Institution is driving the conference. Professors, universities, diplomats, government ministers, a Muslim seminary President, artists, business leaders, and U.N. officials will all be present.

So why am I there? Glocalization - that's it - not the book - but the idea that I've been living my life by the past few years. For a long time, I had no words to express it - it was just this stream that turned into a river that I found myself in. Because of the development work we've done globally where faith and society cross - I became "glocal" and began to live in 2 worlds and learn 2 langauges and operate 2 ways yet all with one core. Faith and government at times have been viewed at odds with one another from an American perspective - but not so globally. The idea that diplomats could sit down and solve the world’s problems without any input or involvement from people of faith when faith issues are core and central to conflicts is and has been absurd.

The world is not as safe as it was nor will be for a good while to come. If communication and dialogue does not take place innocent people will continue to suffer. This is our responsibility - that we can make a difference and shouldn't shrug off the world’s most difficult issues. If convictions do not hold fast - we will loose the core of who we are and the message of hope we have. If compromise and respect are not shared by both sides - each taking responsibility for their "sin" before that "sin" being pointed out by the other side - we will never have any credibility. May the legacy of St. Francis - as he engaged Islam - be our legacy.