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Expert: Le Anne Clausen - 4/3/2010


Question
"The Prophet himself had a Christian wife, and he ...etc"

This was quoted from one of your past answers, from what i know and what i have read, the prophet did not marry a Christian, but he did marry an Ex-Christian who converted to Islam before he married her.

Just wanted to clarify this with you :)

Answer
Thanks Adnan for your comment.  This may be; I have also read and heard that she was permitted to remain Christian although she eventually chose to become Muslim.  This story is frequently used though by both Muslim and Christian scholars to emphasize that a Muslim man may marry a woman or be in peaceable relations with people who are 'of the book,' that is, Christian or Jewish, and not try to force them to convert, since these are recognized religions.

Hope this helps!

peace,

Le Anne

Arab Culture

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Le Anne Clausen

Expertise

I can answer questions on Arab culture, including differences in cultures among Arab countries and sub-groups. I can also answer questions on Christian-Muslim relations, interfaith issues in general, and human rights and peacemaking issues in the Middle East.

Experience

I was a human rights worker for four years in the Middle East, and have spent time in Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. I speak intermediate Arabic; some Hebrew; and am starting Persian (Farsi, Dari). I have led a half-dozen educational delegations to the area for North American groups; and I have led trainings for nearly a thousand international human rights volunteers coming into the area over my years there. I am now working to launch an interfaith peace-teams based human rights organization, hopefully in the next two years. I am also currently editing the manuscript for my first book, a firsthand account of my time in the Middle East

Publications
"Be the Healers," (next steps after Abu Ghraib) The Lutheran magazine, July 2004. www.christian-muslim.net www.seminaryaction.org www.young-activist.blogspot.com Multiple press releases which I wrote from the field, as well as media interviews/articles about my work are also available via Google search.

Education/Credentials
I have an MA in Christian-Muslim relations; and I am now continuing my studies at Chicago Theological Seminary (www.ctschicago.edu). I also have a BA in Religion concentrating in global service, from Wartburg College, (www.wartburg.edu).

Awards and Honors
I received the Dell Award for Peace and Justice from Wartburg College. I have spoken and led workshops and trainings at over one hundred church congregations, colleges, schools, organizations

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