Towards a better understanding

Standing at our monthly Awareness Stall, we are too often approached by a lady. A regular visitor to the stall, always vocal and visibly antagonistic towards Islam and the Muslims, her appearance raises feelings of trepidation.
Offering no greeting, she asked me recently, very directly “Have you been on the march?”. Bewildered I asked “What march – which march. Which march are you talking about?”.
The lady then produced photocopies of the Daily Express, containing an article supposedly from a group calling itself Islam4UK, in which they were asking for Shariah Law to be implemented in the UK. The copies also contained a mocked up picture of Nelson’s column representing a Minaret. The march was being held by the supporters of this group, which was later called off.
I informed her that I do not read the Daily Express, nor was I a member of Islam4UK, and asked why she thought I had attended the march. The lady was very persistent in saying I had attended, but then reverted to her more usual accusations against Islam and the Muslims.
On previous occasions she had reminded me that Christians do not have freedom of religion in Muslim countries, while Muslims had such freedom here. The lady also argued the pious and sinless history of the Christians, and that Christian values allowed the West to enjoy the Blessings of God, a situation rarely found elsewhere, especially in Muslim countries.
On another occasion she had introduced her Pastor to me. After a lengthy conversation with him, I was astonished to hear him claim the miracle of healing, saying that he had brought sight to many born blind children, and when walking the streets, was constantly approached by them expressing their gratitude.
I told him that, if this was true, he could benefit many more patients by working within the NHS. He stated that he had achieved cures in hospital wards, but that many patients lacked faith in Christianity and the healing ministry of Jesus, and became angry. The Hospital expelled him.
I engage in considerable interaction with Churches, fellow Priests, and many friends of many different faiths. We all join in a common aim to promote understanding and tolerance of each other and the practise of our respective faiths. Yet I constantly read malicious materiel written about the Prophet Mohammed, Islam and the Muslims, by those who call themselves Christians. Suffice it to say that Jesus Christ is regarded by us, the Muslims, as a much honoured and highly respected member of the chain of prophet hood, chosen by the Creator and the Most Merciful. We would never use abusive or denigrating language about him.
Our Awareness Stall is intended to help all who would promote greater understanding between people and faiths. With so much that is wrong in the world at present we hope that our efforts will contribute to this goal and encourage people to trust each other.