SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

of two thoughtfully spiritual, imaginatively theologically, and philosophically erudite communities of faith in which the leading spirits maintained a high degree of esteem and affection for each other and lived life in substantial dialogue about profound transcendental questions regarding the nature of God and the meaning of life. One has the distinct feeling of a strong underlying current of trust between the two intellectual worlds and religious communions. Al-Nadim gives pages 814 to 818 to list the names of the Christian and Islamic communities who were involved in the dialogic quest for truth about Jesus and Islam. It is clear throughout The Fihrist what a remarkably broad knowledge al-Nadim personally possessed, regarding the theology and culture of Jews and Christians and their

numerous sub-groups, the open cordiality he bore them, the objective honesty with which he reported their affairs, and the consistent congeniality he expresses to both communities, as well as to the followers of his own Muslim culture and religion. His book is a monument to the history of scholarship and to the grace of a bright and humane spirit. Had it not been for Islamic Arabs like him, and their stunning gifts of wisdom and scholarship to the crusaders from the Holy Roman Empire, the Western World could not possibly have accomplished by the twenty first century what we enjoy today in literature, science, and philosophy. Moreover, at least one notable Coptic Bishop, Yahya al- Wahwi, must have been forever thankful for the Islamic conquest of Egypt by ibn al-As in 642 CE.

Notes: *This paper was delivered by the author on July 27, 2002, during the Fourth St. Shenouda Conference for Coptic Studies at UCLA. 1 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Micropedia , Volume IV, Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. W. and H.H. Benton, publishers, 1974, p. 1036. 2 Abu 'l-Faraj Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Nadim, The Fihrist, A 10th Century AD Survey of Islamic Culture , Bayard Dodge, ed. and trans., NY: Columbia University Press, 1970. Reprinted by arrangement with Columbia University Press by Great Books of the Islamic World, Inc., 1998, pp 612 - 613. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 5 Encyclopaedia Britannica, A New Survey of Universal Knowledge , Volume 15, Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. W. Benton, Publisher, 1956, pp. 730 and 732. 6 Ibid. 7 Ibid., pp. 448 - 449. 8 Ibid. The Third St. Shenouda MiniConference of Coptic Studies (December 21, 2002 - Los Angeles California) (by Hany N. Takla)

Introduction: The Society continued its efforts in organizing the smaller one-day Coptic Studies conferences, or Coptic MiniConferences. These quarterly gatherings are designed to give more opportunities to students in the field rather than established scholars. Though the contribution of the latter is welcomed. Each MiniConference includes a small book exhibit and demonstrations of the Society's on-going work.

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

Attendance: About 16 persons were in attendance during the two sessions of this MiniConference. Attendees were primarily members of the Society in the Southern California Area. Schedule: The following was the schedule for the MiniConference: 10:00-10:05 a.m. Welcome Address by Hany N. Takla

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