Friends:

Here we need to understand the meaning of the following few words:
Auliyaa    =    Protectors or Helpers
Rafeeq    =    Friends

Think of which one is more closer, the one who is a Friend or the one which is in a marital relationship (i.e. wife). Remember that Allah allowed us to marry with women of the people of the book (True Christians or Jews Women etc.). Actually Allah allows us to have friendship and keep in contact with the people of the books. Islaam prevailed during peace not war. Remember the TREATY OF HUDAYBIYAH, after which Islaam prevailed tremendously in Makkah not before. We need positive attitudes.

This day (all) the good (Clean/Halaal) things are allowed to you; and the food (Clean/Halaal) of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them; and the chaste women from the believers and the chaste women (True Jews or True Christen Believer Women) from among those who have been given the Book before you (are lawful for you); when you have given them their dowries (Mahr), taking (them) in marriage, not fornicating nor taking them for paramours in secret; and whoever denies faith, his work indeed is of no account, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers, (Al_Quraan_005.005).

... you will certainly find the nearest in love (friendship) to those who believe (to be) those who say: We are Christians; this is because there are priests and monks among them and because they do not behave proudly, (Al_Quraan_005.082).

And when they (who call themselves Christians) hear what has been revealed to the messenger (saw) you will see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth that they recognize; they say: Our Lord! we believe, so write us down with the witnesses (of truth), (Al_Quraan_005.083).

Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not made war against you on account of (your) religion, and have not driven you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice, (Al_Quraan_060.008).

O you who believe! Choose not disbelievers for (your) auliyaa (protectors and helpers) in place of believers. Would you give Allah a clear warrant against you? (Al_Quraan_004.144).

O you who believe! Take not the Jews and Christians for auliyaa (protectors and helpers). They are protectors one to another. He among you who taketh them for protectors is (one) of them. Lo! Allah guides not wrongdoing folk, (Al_Quraan_005.051).

O you who believe! Choose not for auliyaa (protectors and helpers) such of those who received the Scripture before you, and of the disbelievers, as make a jest and sport of your religion. But keep your duty to Allah if ye are true believers, (Al_Quraan_005.057).

Your wali (protectors and helpers) can be only Allah; and His messenger (saw) and those who believe, who establish worship and pay the poor due, and bow down (in prayer), (Al_Quraan_005.055).

Global Family:

The World is shrinking and becoming a Global Family. I found this as a KEY point in cooling down the mind of others, so always remember and keep reminding, that we are the children of Adam and Eve and we are Cousin Brothers and Cousin Sisters and we are a Global Family.

(All) people are a single nation; so Allah raised prophets as bearers of good news and as warners, and He revealed with them the Book with truth, that it might judge between people in that in which they differed; and none but the people of the book who were given it differed about it after clear arguments had come to them, revolting among themselves; so Allah has guided by His will those who believe to the truth about which they differed and Allah guides whom He pleases to the right path, (Al_Quraan_002.213).