Archbishop of Canterbury Speaks at Interfaith Dialogue Agreement Signed with al-Azhar al-Sharif, Interfaith Commission Established

NEWS from the Diocese of Egypt

Archbishop of Canterbury Speaks at Interfaith Dialogue

The Archbishop addressed Christian and Muslim religious leaders at Al Azhar on September 11, 2004.  The event was attended by many Imams from the highest council of Islamic Research as well as many other Muslim leaders, Diocesan Clergy and the media. In his lecture, Dr. Williams noted that Christians worship one God and  explained our Christian understanding of the Trinity, a source of misunderstanding between Christians and Muslims. He then spoke about our common responsibility as Christians and Muslims to respond to challenges in a way that affirms the Oneness, Love and the Authority of the One God in whom we believe. Several Imams said that this gave a clearer understanding of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.

The subject of this year's Interfaith Dialogue was “Misconceptions”. Sx papers were presented, three by Muslim members and three by Anglican members. The titles of these papers were Jihad in Islam, Human Rights in Islam, The Place of Women in Islam, Is the West Christian?, Is Christianity a Religion of Weakness, and Christian Western Mission and Its Relation with the Crusade and Imperialism. Archbishop Williams gave his address in English, with simultaneous translation into Arabic by Bishop Mouneer.

Historic Accord Signed

The Anglican Communion has signed an historic agreement for dialogue with al-Azhar al-Sharif.  The Agreement acknowledged "our common faith in God" and a "responsibilty to witness against indifference to religion on the one hand and religious fanaticism on the other," A Joint Committee to promote joint understanding, work against injustice, and share in solving problems and conflicts between Muslims and Jews.  The Agreement was signed on behalf of the Anglican Cmmunion by then-Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis, Bishop in Egypt with North Africa, and The Revd Canon Dr Christopher Lamb, and on behalf of al-Azhar by Sheik Mohamed Sayed Tantawy, Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Fawzy El Zefzaf, President of the Permanent Committee of al-Azhar for Dialogue with Monotheistic Religiohns, and Dr, Ali El Samman, Vice President of the Permanent Committee for Dialogue with Monotheistic Religions.  The document is shown at Christian-Islamic Relations.

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