http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/printArticle.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=435777&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
Call for mutual understanding between Muslims, Christians
Publish Date: Friday,20 May, 2011, at 12:55 PM Doha Time
By Peter Townson/Staff Reporter
Religious leaders Jihad Youssef, Molana Ibrahim Mogra, Rowan Williams,
Dheen Mohamed and Samy Shehata at the seminar
Religious leaders yesterday called for more collaboration between members of
the Muslim and Christian faiths to help deal with challenges facing the global
population.
Speaking on the final day of the tenth 'Building Bridges' seminar at Georgetown
School of Foreign Services in Qatar, community leaders reiterated their call
for increased mutual understanding, whilst praising Qatar for the country's
efforts to encourage dialogue and co-operation between Muslims and Christians
around the world.
The seminar, chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, brought
together representatives of Muslim and Christian communities from various
countries to develop mutual understanding by discussing issues surrounding
prayer.
Participants explained that by increasing understanding among community
leaders, they hope to disseminate tolerance throughout their communities and
congregations to create better relationships between different faiths.
"The problems facing the world at the moment are so severe, that no one faith
community alone can respond, but we need to work together," said Williams. An
area of the world currently suffering as a result of a lack of understanding is
Egypt, and Anglican priest Samy Shehata spoke about recent violence between
Muslims and Christians in his home country.
He said that following church burnings and attacks that have taken place this
year, members of both faiths have united to form a committee to take evidence
for an investigation into the events.
"In Egypt, Muslims and Christians love each other, although we are very
concerned about recent events" he said, adding "the only solution is to achieve
unity, and I am very optimistic as far as the future is concerned."
"We have to exert a number of efforts," he said, "the problem we have is a lack
of awareness - we need to remind people how to work and live together."
Williams emphasised that the purpose of the seminar was to improve
understanding among scholars and community leaders, rather than to issue any
political statements.
However, he explained that none of the leaders would wish to separate religion
from politics, as they are both integral to peoples' identities.
"The crises of the region are a challenge to Muslims and Christians alike, and
this week has reinforced the sense that we face them together," he said.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------------------
Post message: [email protected]
Subscribe : [email protected]
Unsubscribe : [email protected]
List owner : [email protected]
Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
