Islam and Christianity are the two major religions in the world today, with around 2 billion Christian

followers, and around 1.3 billion Muslim followers. (http://www.religionfacts.com). For decades, these two religions have been engaging in problematic conflict that has divided people. This conflict has created obstacles preventing people from coming together, and realise that these two religions despite their differences they still share so many aspects. In the early days of Islam, the Muslims were suffering from the torture of the people of Mecca, prophet Muhammad was very sad knowing his people were suffering, and one day he told his people, that there is a just Christian king in Ethiopia, and they should immigrant to his country and live there until things clam down in Mecca. When the people in Mecca heard that the Muslims went to Ethiopia, they sent a delegate to pursue the king to hand in the Muslims and take them to back to Mecca. The king said; to the delegate give me a reason why I should refuse the Muslims in my country and hand them t you. The delegate said: they talk bad about Jesus in their holy book. The king said to the Muslims; read me something from your holy book. One of the Muslims started reading some verses of the Chapter of from Holy Qur'an that speaks of Mary and Jesus: And mention Maryam in the Book when she drew aside from her family to an eastern place. So, she took a veil (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Spirit, and there appeared to her a well-made man. She said: Surely, I fly for refuge from you to the Beneficent God, if you are one guarding (against evil). He said: I am only a messenger of your Lord: That I will give you a pure boy. She said: When shall I have a boy and no mortal has yet touched me, nor have I been unchaste? He said: Even so, your lord says: It is easy to me: and that we may make him a sign to men and a mercy from us; and it is a matter which has been decreed. So, she conceived him; then withdrew herself with a remote place and the throes (of childbirth) compelled her to take herself to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten! Then (the child called out to her from beneath her): Grieve not; surely your lord has made a stream to flow beneath you. And shake towards you the trunk of the palm tree, it will drop on you fresh ripe dates. So, eat, drink, and refresh the eye. Then if you see any mortal, say: Surely I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent God, so I shall not speak to any man today and she came to her people with him, carrying him (with her). They said: Oh Maryam! Surely, you have done a strange thing. Oh Sister of Haroon! Your father was not a bad man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman. But she pointed to him. They said: How should we speak to one who was a child in the cradle? He said: Surely I am Allah's servant; he has given me the Book and made me a prophet, and has made me blessed wherever I may be, and he has enjoined on me prayer and poor-rate so long as I live and dutiful to my mother; and he has not made me insolent, unblessed and peace be on me on the day I was born, and on the day I die, and on the day I am raised to life. (Quran 16-23:19). After hearing that, the king and the monks around him wept, and then said to the Muslims that they are welcome to stay in his country as long as they want, and he sent the delegate back to Mecca That was an example of living in love, peace and harmony between Christians and Muslims. Therefore, people should look beyond the differences, and focus on the similarities and realise there should be an establishment of harmony, love and peace instead of conflict. The most notable difference in both religions is their views on Jesus. Christians believe in trinity meaning: God has there forms in one person, the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, Muslims do not believe in trinity, but rather that Jesus is only a human sent by god as a prophet to guide people. The other difference on Jesus, Christians believe in the crucifixion of Jesus as mentioned in the Bible (Matthew 27), and then went to heaven. However, Muslims do not believe in the crucifixion, but they believe that Judas was crucified instead of Jesus as a punishment for his

betrayal. Therefore, Jesus did not die as mentioned in the Quran: That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah";- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:- Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise; ( Qur'an, sura 4 (An-Nisa) ayat 157158). Because of these differences, most Christians believe that Muslims do not believe in Jesus. In fact, Jesus is mentioned in Quran five times more than the Islams prophet Muhammad, which makes him the most talked about prophet in the Quran. Moreover, Muslims believe in Jesus and respect him greatly, and consider him one of the most important and greatest of gods messengers to humankind. Another difference is how both religions view the original sin. The original sin is the story of Adam and Eve. In Christianity, people are born with sinful state; therefore, the sin committed by Adam and Eve would be inherited by the future generations, meaning we carry the sin (Eph. 2:3). However, in Islam that is not the case the original sin is not inherited by people, in Islam everyone is responsible of his or her sin. Despite the major differences in both religions, these two apparently opposite religions share several significant similarities. Both Islam and Christianity are monotheistic religions, therefore, they both believe in one God and he is the one who created the universe, and he is the source of all existence. Both believe that God is merciful and cares about his creation, and he is just and provided us with basic rules to guide us to do good on this earth. The two religions, believe that we are the children of Abraham, both believe that human beings are the highest creatures on earth. God created us with a soul, meaning that we as human can grow conscious, we are both capable of doing good and bad. Both religions believe in the devil, however, there is difference on what kind of creature the devil is. Christianity views the devil as fallen angel who disapproved gods word and he seeks the distraction of humanity (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:13-15). In Islam, the devil is a fallen Jin a creature mad of fire who has freewill, and in this case, he rebelled against god and he seeks the distraction of humanity (2:268; 114:1-6). Both religions have a common enemy, whose sole purpose is the destruction of the humankind. Moreover, the two religions believe in angels, demons, the afterlife, heaven and hell. Adding to that, they both believe in the second coming of Jesus. According to the Islamic holy book the Quran, Jesus will return just before the end of days, and will lead humanity with justice, peace and love: And he (Isa) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way.(Quran 43:61). In Christianity, Jesus left no doubt that he will return and lead humanity, and carry on with his mission of salvation of humankind: "Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly.

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." (NLT, John 14:1-4). In conclusion, both religions have the same principles; they share the most important things in life, which are love, peace and doing good on this earth. I think people should see the common teachings in both religions and allow it to be an eye opener, and realise that the conflict is a nonsense, and the message of peace in love in both religions is above the conflict.