The need for dialogue across faiths became more critical after the 25 January 2011 Revolution when inter-religious strife led to incidents of tragic sectarian violence. Bishop Mouneer Anis, Anglican Bishop for the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa has been a driving force behind interfaith initiatives in the region, including running the Imam-Priest Exchange programme since 2013.
This week sees the first meeting of the new Anglican Communion Inter Faith Commission (AIFC) which will be held in Cairo, Egypt. Its purpose is to “bring mutual understanding and build trust where there is ignorance, fear and hostility” between different faith groups.
Bishop Mouneer Anis, of the Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa, will chair the new Commission, which includes Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, an expert on Christian-Muslim relations; Dr Michael Ipgrave, the Bishop of Lichfield in the Church of England, an expert on Christian-Jewish relations; the Revd Canon Tricia Hillas, of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, an expert in conflict resolution and mediation; Bishop Humphrey Peters, Moderator of the united Church of Pakistan, who has worked extensively on Christian-Muslim relations; and the Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwa, who has been a participant at a number of international forums on interfaith concerns. ”
Bishop Mouneer said...
Engagement with followers of other faiths is now a necessity, working together for the common good alleviates many misconceptions about each other, and helps us to see each other as fellow human beings created in the image of God, and loved by Him.
Archbishop Justin Welby described their role as being
essential to our future
and in a video message to the members of the Commission, Archbishop Justin said
The world is looking for the capacity of religious leaders to differ without hating. And the world’s capacity to differ without hating appears to be reducing by the day.
The Commission has been welcomed by other Christian leaders, including Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church, who will meet members of the Commission during their time in Cairo next week. The commission members will also meet the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, one of the world’s most prominent Sunni Muslim leaders.
Read more on the Anglican Communion News Service website
Posted 20th February 2018
