In my speaking engagements and in classes I have taught, I learned that even people in university or church settings are not aware of the historical, theological and geographical lineage that threads its way from the beginning to the present day conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. And so, this book begins with an historical and scriptural reconstruction from which we can, hopefully, grasp more completely the difficulties the present generations face in their ongoing struggle for the ownership of the land all three religions call ‘Ours’.

On the day of September 11, 2001, like the rest of America and the world, I looked for a way to bring sense out of the senseless, inhumane horror that took place in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. On that day, I searched for a way to bring some sense of center back to our stunned and deflated selves – our very souls. And so I called together the ecumenical body of Christ's churches in Aberdeen, Washington, to plan a service for that same evening. Included in our planning was a representative of the local Jewish synagogue. There was no mosque, nor anyone available from the virtually invisible Muslim community in the small town of Aberdeen. On the following Sunday, during the announcements, as I sought a way to help my parishioners – and myself – deal with the painful empty feeling of our present time, I suggested Bible study, prayer groups, meditation and then, with a sudden inspiration, I offered a class on Islam.