APPENDIX
Additional Course Materials: Letters of Support, Testimonials etc.
The purpose of these materials is to help interested individuals or Covenants Study Groups introduce the Covenants Training Course to other Muslims, to masjids, to Christians and Jews, and to interfaith organizations.
1} Endorsements for The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World by Dr. John Andrew Morrow:
This narrative has the power to unite Muslim and Christian communities. A work of scholarship, its release is timely, and its content critical in fostering mutual respect and religious freedom.—IMAM FEISAL ABDUL RAUF, Chairman, Cordoba Initiative
In his indispensable contribution to the study of the Abrahamic faiths, John Andrew Morrow tells the story of how the Prophet Muhammad used his desert experiences of hospitality and protection to bring Muslims and Christians together. Morrow quotes the Prophet’s instruction—as relevant today as in his time: ‘With the People of the Book there is to be no strife.’—JOSEPH HOBBS, University of Missouri
Today, we realize more than ever that either we will learn to live together like siblings, or we shall perish together like fools. These letters from the Prophet Muhammad to Christian communities can serve to inspire both Muslims and Christians about our ability to live together as God’s people, as friends, as neighbors, and as custodians of the same small planet.—OMID SAFI, University of North Carolina
The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad is a useful source for all those interested in the cultural and religious history of the Muslim world and the cultural relationship between Islam and Christianity. It will be very helpful in strengthening tolerance, goodwill, and better understanding between different civilizations; and it opens new horizons for further studies.—AIDA GASIMOVA, Baku State University
With painstaking effort and much dedication invested in this groundbreaking work, Professor Morrow will surely manage to attract the attention of Islamic studies students and specialists. Indeed, the book is a genuine call for reconsidering the relationship among the three revealed Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Judaism and Islam.”—AMAR SELLAM, Mohamed I University
This book documents what is possibly the third foundational source of Islam: the Prophet’s treaties and covenants among people of the Abrahamic faiths. Dr. Morrow brings forth exceptionally important findings that dictate peaceful coexistence among Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and includes multiple translations for comparison of how the Prophet and his followers treated Christians and Jews with respect and care, far beyond a mere tolerance.—BRIDGET BLOMFIELD, University of Nebraska
These covenants are not merely historical documents; they remain valid, binding covenants for all Muslims from the moment of their inception until the end of time. Dr. Morrow’s work has illuminated a new horizon of Islamic public international law and promotes further scholarly investigation of the covenants.—HISHAM M. RAMADAN, S.J.D., Kwantlen Polytechnic University
The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad is a timely, pioneering, and penetrating study that sheds much light on the thoughts and the policy of the Prophet Muhammad.—MOHAMED ELKOUCHE, Mohamed I University
This is a remarkable scholarly contribution: a collection of the covenants of the Prophet Muhammad, now made widely available. They form an integral part of his discourses, particularly because they concern non-Muslims, and mainly Christians.—MUHAMMAD REZA FAKHR ROHANI, University of Qom
Dr. Morrow, with his mastery of classical Arabic and versatile knowledge of the Islamic heritage, openly, and fearlessly, invites all scholars interested in Islam to reflect on a religion that welcomes dialogue and mutual understanding. His book should be on the shelf of every open-minded reader who seeks the truth about Islam.—SAID MENTAK, Mohammed I University
John Andrew Morrow has done with this book what Martin Luther King Jr. did with his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”—called people to account for straying from what they are purported to stand for. He is saying, “Here are the covenants. Read them! Honor them, and honor the intent of the Prophet.”—BARBARA CASTLETON, co-author of Arabic, Islam, and the Allah Lexicon
The standards set by these treaties appear not only advanced for the time of the Prophet, they remain advanced in our own age.—ANNA MARIA MARTELLI, Italian Institute for Africa and the Orient
A brilliant piece of scholarship.—CRAIG CONSIDINE, Huffington Post
John Andrew Morrow’s work, The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World, is intriguing and engaging material.—KAREN LESLIE HERNANDEZ, ON ISLAM
Thoughtful, accessible and scholarly, The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World offers important evidence for understanding Islam as a religion founded on ideals of respect and tolerance.” DAN WILKINSON, PATHEOS
2} Letter of Support from Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew:
OIKOYMENIKON IIATPIAPXEION
AГIA KA I I EPA ΣYNOΔOΣ APXIГPAMMATEIA
THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE
HOLY AND SACRED SYNOD THE CHIEF SECRETARIAT
Phanar, July 3, 2014
Mr. Charles Upton
Dr. John Andrew Morrow Covenant Initiative
E-mail: cupton@qx.net
Dear Mr. Upton,
His All-Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has directed me to communicate with you.
His All-Holiness would like to thank you for sending him a copy of The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World. It is his fervent prayer that there will be greater safety for all Christians as well as greater security for their churches and sacred sites, which, as you well know, are regrettably missing in many places of our world . This is especially the case in the Middle East, where the number of Christians is radically and rapidly diminishing.
Thanking you once again and congratulating you on this important publication, I convey to you the greetings of His All-Holiness, and remain
Sincerely Yours,
Archimandrite Bartholomew Samaras
Chief Secretary
3} Letter of Support from the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III:
Mr. Charles Upton
Dear Mr. Upton,
We would like to extend our thanks to you for sending Us a copy of The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World, by Dr. John Andrew Morrow, which is a very interesting and crucial work in terms of the aims of your initiative.
As you have mentioned in your letter, mutual respect between Muslims and Christians, as well as all faiths of our region, is the only way to move forward.
In the Holy Land, Our ancient Christian presence embodies this legacy of harmonious coexistence, as evidenced by the respect Caliph Omar ibn al Khattab showed for the Church of the Anastasis upon his entry into Jerusalem. This early example has set a precedent for the generations, lasting until today.
As our Middle East region passes through its contemporary plight, we commend your efforts to foster peace and reconciliation as a result of your academic research, and we offer you wishes for success in sharing your positive message.
With Our Patriarchal Blessings,
THEOPHILOS III
PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM
Holy City of Jerusalem
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
4} Letter from the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò:
Dear Mr. Upton:
I acknowledge your e-mail communication of August 15, 2014 on behalf of Dr. John Andrew Morrow and the Covenants Initiative.
Please be assured that the message, destined for His Holiness Pope Francis, will be duly forwarded.
With cordial regards, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò
Apostolic Nuncio
5} Article by Jayson Casper in Christianity and Crisis, December 21, 2018: “Covenantal Theology: Can Muhammad’s Ancient Promise Inspire Muslim-Christian Peace Today?”
To Acquit Asia Bibi of Blasphemy, Pakistan’s Supreme Court Relied on Supposed Seventh-Century Treaty by Islam’s Prophet:
6} Article by Dr. John Andrew Morrow: “The Covenant of the Prophet Muhammad with the Jews of Khaybar and Maqna”
7} Article on Muslim-Jewish Mutual Aid by Matthew Haag, New York Times, October 29, 2018: (this also appears in LESSON 5): “Muslim Groups Raise Thousands for Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Victims”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/29/us/muslims-raise-money-pittsburgh-synagogue.html
8} Article on Muslim-Jewish Mutual Aid by Alex Horton, The Washington Post, March 18, 2018: “Their fellow congregants died in Pittsburgh. Now Jews are supporting Muslims in New Zealand.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/03/18/their-congregants-died-pittsburgh-now-jews-are-supporting-muslims-new-zealand/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.bd5d2b76e23e
9} Article from Shafaqna:
“Islamic Society of North America Interfaith Service Award presented to Dr. John Andrew Morrow, April, 2016”
10} Interview with Dr. John Andrew Morrow on the Website of Ayatullah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran: “ ‘The Sunni World is Realizing that Wahhabism is Anti-Islam’: Scholar”
http://english.khamenei.ir/news/4142/The-Sunni-world-is-realizing-Wahhabism-is-anti-Islam-scholar
11} Article by Taraneh Tabatabai, Australasian Muslim Times, Oct, 19, 2017:
“Dr. John Morrow Recognised by U.S. Congress”
https://covenantsoftheprophet.org/?s=Dr.+John+Morrow+Recognised+by+US+Congress
12} Caux Round Table for Moral Capitalism: “Proceedings of the Istanbul Workshop on the Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad”
13} Three Parts of an Article by Dr. John Andrew Morrow: “The Duty of Protecting Sacred Sites”
https://covenantsoftheprophet.org/2019/03/01/the-duty-to-protect-sacred-sites-part-iii/
https://covenantsoftheprophet.org/2019/04/01/the-duty-to-protect-sacred-sites-part-iv/
The Covenants of the Prophet Foundation 