RELEVENCE OF RESEARCH IN REDUCING CHRISTIANITY- ISLAM CONFILICT
BY: SANA RASHEED*

According to historical analysis we have seen many conflicts between Christianity and Islam because of the policy of expansionism; to acquire territory and also to control resources. The crusades were a series of war initiated by Christians to win back their Holy lands from Muslims. It was the time when Christians made a difference between Cross-and Crescent. During Cold war era when the world was divided into two blocks Capitalism and Communism, a feeling haltered towards Islam as the Communist block was at its peek.
In the post-cold war era, there is growing feeling in the West that Islamic extremist groups are heavily involved in acts of terrorism. At that time, the theory of clash of civilization has come which changed the mindset of Western world and their resources, which are mainly present in Muslim states. By post 9/11, elements of extremism and fundamentalism emerged as a force, which has been viewed as threat to civil society, culture and civilization,. It is the religious extremism, which is a reflection of socio-politics and socio-economics conditions of state and society. Some wrong interpretation, which, creates about Muslims, is emerged by west in form of propaganda, conflict between Islam and Christianity, Policy of interference towards Islam is also made a feeling of hatred in Muslims as recent cartoon controversy on Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Christianity is based on the concept of secularism and nation state system. It preaches about peace, tolerance and equality. They consider religious extremist forces as a threat to basic concept of nation state system that is why the West perceives the concept of Jihad as a threat to the basic norms of democracy. But on the other hand Islam is basically religion of peace, tolerance, equality, and justice, which provides deep study for the right way. Some wrong interpretation about Muslims has emerged in the West in form of propaganda, which creates conflict between Islam and Christianity. Policy of interference towards Islamic states is also made feeling of hatred for Muslims for example presence of American forces over Iraq, Afghanistan and also threat to Iran. On the other hand, the West violates human rights on these states and also in Kosovo, Bosnia, Vietnam and current situation of Palestine. It needs research to find out the root causes of conflict by probing and by in depth study and also to eradicate the miss concept of both the religions. Culturally, politically, and religiously, the situation of Muslims is diverse in relation to Christians. However their exaggeration of the status of culture and its role in explaining individual and collective behavior is less perceptible when they reflect on their own situation. In previous times, western secularist not only historians and sociologist of religion, search for an essence of things religions common to all. In emphasizing similarities between religions, they tried to discredit the Christian claim to uniqueness.
Policy of interference toward Islam has also made a feeling of hatred for Muslims. It needs research to find out the root causes of conflict by research and also to eradicate the miss concept and misinterpretation of both the religions. While relations between Muslims and Christians are strongly influenced by local and regional histories, they are increasingly impacted by world development. It is mostly in situations where uncertainties of being to be felt, that mistrust and mutual apprehension can be built between or among diverse communities.

Conclusion
So research can play a vital role in reducing Christianity and Islam conflict by deep study, which requires expertise of both religions. Attention to the specific local causes of conflicts helps to identify solutions to be found, first and foremost in addressing those local causes. This is not possible unless the leaders of both communities refuse to be drawn into others. For solidarity among adherents to one faith is only by applying conflict are helped to release. Islam and Christianity from the effect of self-interest and self serving interpretation of believes and conviction can then constitute the basis for critical engagements with human weakness and defective social and economic order, in a common search for human well-being, dignity, social justice and civil peace.
Misinterpreting or exaggerating the role of religions in the relations among and within nations mark attitudes and perceptions of various tensions or conflicts, leading to the aggravation relations of Muslims and Christians are significantly affected by the propagation of a globalize discourse. It is only after examining the root causes of violence in their present reality as well as in their respective histories, that Christianity and Islam can credibly reflect together and share each others internal discussions on issues like jihad, just war and martyrdom

* Student, M.A. (Final) First Semester, (2006), Department of International Relations, University of Karachi

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