by Warren Larson, director of the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies at Columbia International University

Not too long ago a Dutch Catholic bishop’s admonition that everyone should refer to God as Allah produced a storm of protest. That incident illustrates a polarization of views as to where the term came from and how it should be used today. It is also indicative of the confusion as to who God really is. On the one hand, a Muslim spokesman for CAIR (Council of American-Islamic Relations) heartily endorsed the statement, because that is what the Qur’an seems to suggest: “We believe in the revelation which has come down to us … our God and your God is one” (29:46).