inter-religious - archive
a common word
In Autumn 2007, 138 Muslim Scholars sent a letter to Christian leaders. The letter is a call for Christians and Muslims to come together in "Love of God" and "Love of Neighbour". This was an initiative of the Royal Academy of the Royal Ahl L-Bayt Institute for islamic Thought in Jordan.
The Muslim scholars who signed the letter come from across the Muslim world and, significantly, from both the Sunni and Shia traditions of Islam.
The full letter can be viewed on the web site of the Cambridge Inter-faith Programme, University of Cambridge .
Responses from Christian churches
There have been a number of responses from Christian churches so far, including:
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone of the Vatican
The 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr.Rowan Williams
Revd David Coffey, President of the Baptist World Alliance
Church in Wales response to A Common Word (PDF)
A Common Word Conference - October 2008
In October 2008 Christian and Muslim leaders, and scholars, met in Cambridge and London to discuss issues around this letter. A communiqué was issued as a result of this meeting:
Communique from A Common Word conference (PDF)
Study guide for churches
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland has produced a study guide for churches who wish to explore A Common Word further and to reflect upon some of the issues raised. This is called Above us and between us. It is available as a booklet to buy or as a download.
Initiative for Muslims and Jews
Since the publication of the letter, there has been another initiative - this time a group of Muslim scholars calling for dialogue and understanding between Muslims and Jews. This initiative follows a lecture by Professor Tariq Ramadan at the Centre for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations in Cambridge on the 25th February 2008.