Anwar Mourns Passing Of Prominent Islamic Scholar John Esposito

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed his sadness over the passing of his friend, Professor John L. Esposito, whom he described as one of the world’s most prominent Islamic scholars.

Anwar said he first became acquainted with Esposito in the early 1970s, and their friendship remained close for over five decades.

According to him, Esposito played a major role in building an intellectual foundation to enhance Western societies’ understanding of Islam, besides contributing extensively to efforts in strengthening relations between Muslim and Christian communities.

“John built the intellectual foundation for a deeper understanding of Islam in the West. His contributions to Muslim-Christian understanding were immense.

“He built bridges when others were more comfortable building walls between civilisations,” he said in a Facebook statement today.

Esposito was the founder of the Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University and had served as President of the Middle East Studies Association of North America.

He also edited the Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Islamic World and co-authored Makers of Contemporary Islam with John Voll, which examines the diversity of modern Islamic political thought.

In addition, Esposito’s works such as What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam and Who Speaks for Islam?, co-written with Dalia Mogahed, succeeded in bringing understanding of Islam to a wider audience.

Anwar said these works were particularly significant especially after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when the world needed more accurate and in-depth explanations about Islam.

The Prime Minister also remembered Esposito not only as a respected scholar, but also a friend who always offered views and support during his own various challenges.

“I will remember John as a great scholar, but more than that, he was a friend whose advice I greatly valued throughout the years of our friendship.

“He was generous in personal conversation and meticulous in his writing. He also stood by me through thick and thin,” he said.

On behalf of Malaysia, Anwar also conveyed his condolences to Esposito’s wife, Jean, as well as all family members, colleagues and students.

“May the knowledge and dialogue he cultivated throughout his life continue to bear fruit. Until the very end, he was a true friend of the Islamic world,” he said.

Kosmo Online