Newspaper Article

MY VIEW: BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON - AND BROTHER MUSLIM

Arnold, Talitha

2004

Overview

  With one of his followers, [Francis] traveled to Egypt in hopes of converting the Muslim sultan and his army. Again, as [Donald Spoleto] notes, Francis \"couldn't escape his stereotypical prejudices\" regarding non- Christians who, in Francis' eyes, needed to embrace the \"true faith,\" Christianity. When Francis was hauled before the sultan, the Muslim leader's religious consultants told him to execute Francis immediately for trying to convert him. But al-[Kamil] was so amazed - and amused - by the audacity of the little man in sackcloth that he invited Francis to stay with him for a week, to tell the sultan stories about this Jesus Christ and to listen to his plea for peace. Al-Kamil was the same age as Francis, and, like him, was dedicated to his faith and its propagation. But, according to Spoleto, the sultan was also \"a man who appreciated true faith wherever he found it; he admired Francis' character, his wholehearted commitment to his faith and his clear contempt for the luxuries of the world.\" Al-Kamil promised he would never condemn Francis to death.

• Publisher: Santa Fe New Mexican
• Subject: Al-Kamil / Spoleto, Donald