Prince & Islam

He said in 1994 that when he became Supreme Governor of the Church of England, he would rather be “defender of faiths” than “defender of the faith”.

“Right. Ok. So, all that time on Athos adds up to this?

As we were blushing from all the attention he paid to our Holy Mountain, we should have read up on the Prince’s close friendship with (the once Orthodox) John Tavaner and the composer’s views on “the trancendental unity of all religions” (taken from F. Schuon’s and Philip Sherrard’s writings).

Perhaps the next time he comes to Vatopedi the monks ought to pull out their copy of the Lives of the New Martyrs and give it to him as a gift, so the Prince can get a little fuller picture of his beloved Islam’s tolerance.”
— Fr Peter Alban Heers

[Old news, sure, but worth noting.]

Prince Charles to plead Islam’s cause to Bush
By Andrew Alderson, Chief Reporter
(Filed: 29/10/2005)

The Prince of Wales will try to persuade George W Bush and Americans of the merits of Islam this week because he thinks the United States has been too intolerant of the religion since September 11.

The Prince, who leaves on Tuesday for an eight-day tour of the US, has voiced private concerns over America’s “confrontational” approach to Muslim countries and its failure to appreciate Islam’s strengths.

The Prince also spoke of his sympathy for America after the terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of almost 3,000 people. He said he wanted to promote better relations between the different religions of the world.

Prince Charles, who is about to embark on his first official foreign tour since his marriage to the Duchess of Cornwall, wants Americans – including Mr Bush – to share his fondness for Islam. He has agreed to attend a seminar on religions at Georgetown University, Washington, on Thursday: the only event where he will not be accompanied by the Duchess.

More old news.