Did Jesus rise from the dead? ( Mike's Opening Statement - 1 of 4 )

Did Jesus Christ really rise from the dead? Is there evidence that Jesus rose from the dead? Representing the Muslim perspective was Shabir Ally: Shabir Ally has earned a B.A. in Religious Studies from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, with a specialization in Biblical Literature, and an M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Toronto with a specialization in Quranic Exegesis. He is now in his third year of Ph.D studies in Quranic Exegesis at the University of Toronto. Shabir is the president of the Islamic Information & Dawah Centre International in Toronto where he functions as Imam. He travels internationally to represent Islam in public lectures and interfaith dialogues. He explains Islam on a weekly television program called "Let the Quran Speak Representing the Christian side was Michael Licona: Mike is a New Testament historian, author, and Christian apologist. He is a PhD candidate in New Testament at the University of Pretoria and has an M.A. in Religious Studies from Liberty University He has appeared as guest on numerous secular and Christian radio talk shows including nationally syndicated The Bible Answer Man Hank Hanegraff, Janet Parshalls America, Truths That Transform with Dr. D. James Kennedy and the Current. He is asked to speak frequently for parachurch ministries such as Young Life, MOPS (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers), FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), and has been the keynote speaker for multiple church retreats. Mike was twice a guest on Lee Strobels program Faith Under Fire (PAX TV), and numerous times on D. James Kennedys Sunday morning program The Coral Ridge Hour. The Topic of Debate: Did Jesus rise from the dead? Shabir Ally (www.Shabirally.com) vs. Michael Licona (www.risenjesus.com) (Regent University, Virginia, USA 2004) For further information on upcoming or previous debates click here http://www.shabirally.com/debates.asp