Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, Secretary General, ISNA, on the San Francisco meeting between the Muslims and the Dalai Lama

The Tibetans and the Kashmiris have always been reminded that coming from the roof of the world, they should represent the highest human ideals. This may be the reason why God has been testing them the most. They may look down upon the rest of the world from the highest altitude but always with modesty and humility, the most valued virtues in both Buddhism and Islam.

The early memories of a pleasant historical relationship between my birth place Kashmir and Tibet have always been a source of inspiration. Tibet has been a welcoming host to Kashmiri Muslim immigrants throughout history. The Buddhist hospitality always opened arms of welcome to refugees seeking escape from different tyrants who have occupied the valley from time to time.

It is an irony of history that both Tibet and Kashmir have shared a recent experience of neighborly occupation for more than half of a century. It is during this period that Hon. Dalai Lama's role as a leader of non-violent resistance to occupation has inspired many of our generation in Kashmir.

In America today, where the emerging Muslim community is taking the role of a bridge-builder between our home country US and the rest of the Muslim world, it is refreshing to have a conversation with Hon. Dalai Lama. In a world torn by religious extremism, coming from different religious traditions, we stand committed to respect for religious diversity. This demands that we constantly explore sharing and strengthening the pluralist and tolerant traditions of all religions. Hon. Dalai Lama's whole life has been dedicated to this mission and we welcome the opportunity of being with him.

New Fons Vitae Title: Subtleties of the Ascension - The Isra wa Mi'raj; Early Mystical sayings on The Prophet Muhammad’s Heavenly Journey

This first time translation into any language of a recently discovered tenth century manuscript provides a window into the thought-world of the early Muslim mystics known as the Sufis, and offers a comparative case of mystical exegesis for those interested in mysticism more generally.

Fifty-six teachings on a variety of ascension-related issues illustrate the profoundly creative imagination of such early Sufi mystics as Hallaj, Junayd, and Bistami, demonstrating their remarkable ability to mine gems of insight from the deepest depths of spiritual experience, and highlighting their abiding love for the Prophet Muhammad. The book provides the essential framework for both novices and experts to understand how the early Sufis approached the Qur'an and the oral reports attributed to Muhammad, illustrated with stunning masterpieces of 15th century Persian miniature painting. READ MORE

Splendours of Qur'an Calligraphy and Illumination by Martin Lings

Splendours of Qur'an Calligraphy and Illumination by Martin Lings added to Fons Vitae website

The finest examples of this distinctive Islamic art form ever published.

Within three centuries of its advent, Islam had produced an architecture and a calligraphic art, including that of illumination, that have seldom been equaled and never surpassed, the one centered on the Mosque and the other on the Qur'an. But whereas Islamic architecture is world famous, its calligraphic art has remained relatively unknown and inaccessible. Black-and-white photographs of the art of calligraphy are plentiful, but a page of script, impressive though it can be in black and white, loses much without the tints of the paper and the ink.

Splendours of Qur'an Calligraphy and Illumination reproduces the formal excellence of colors and texture that distinguish these artistic masterpieces. In all, 180 openings are displayed, carefully chosen from the greatest collections of Qur'an manuscripts in the world. 180 color large illustrations. Read more

Dalai Lama and Islam conference images

View images from April event organised by Fons Vitae - View Press Release

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On April 15, 2006, His Holiness the Dalai Lama traveled to San Francisco to attend an historic event, embracing his Muslim brothers and sisters, and including other world faiths, to foster mutual understanding and to celebrate our common humanity.

For centuries, Buddhists and Muslims have lived peacefully together as one family in Tibet. This historic gathering was initiated last year when Imam Khorasani of the Bay Area met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the two discussed their mutual desire to overcome the negative perceptions that currently abound in the media regarding Muslims and their relationships with other faiths and peoples. The purpose of this summit was to dispel the illusion that certain religious groups are inherently intolerant and to take back the world stage from the voices of dissension and mistrust who have taken it for political purposes.

At a time when the world is experiencing and witnessing more suffering and rising tensions between faiths, it was the goal of this gathering to promote open discourse about our commonalities centered on dignity, respect, love, and compassion. This event was the first step of many to gather with one voice representing the overwhelming majority of people of faith who live moderate and normative lives of service, mercy, and compassion. The goal: a world without violence, respectful of diversity. This gathering demonstrated to the world that a calm dialogue between a broad cross section of Muslim and other scholars and religious, community, and business leaders highlights the ideals and precepts of each faith that speak from the center of the heart and resonate through all faiths.

The Organizing Committee is deeply grateful for the opportunity to have assisted in this historic gathering to overcome the negative perceptions that currently abound in the media regarding Muslims and their relationships with other faiths and peoples. We are honored to, in some small part, play a role in assembling this summit to begin to dispel the illusion that certain religious groups are inherently intolerant and to take back the world stage from the voices of dissension and mistrust who have taken it for political purposes. We extend our gratitude to all who helped with this event and for those who participated and attended, to make it such a profound success.

The Organizing Committee

Fons Vitae, Zaytuna Institute, The Myers Group, The Kirlin Foundation, Islamic Society of California