Building relationships between mosques and churches

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Local Christian - Muslim Friendship

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IntroductionThis booklet about making friendships between neighbouring mosques and churches(‘twinning’), is inspired by the well-known twinning between towns and cities in theUK and other countries.

Our aim is to build and demonstrate strong local friendships between Christians andMuslims. We intend to inspire people to get to know their neighbours and offer ourideas, and support, to help clear hurdles and build bridges.

Friendship - the energy for growing these relationships comes from friendship.Twinning mosques and churches is not a project, or something forced upon theunwilling, but a celebration of being together as friends and neighbours. Friendshipand sharing encourages the Christian Muslim Forum in its work to promote 'strongpersonal relationships between Christians and Muslims, based on faith in God'. Theimportance of friendship for the creation of the Forum as a joint Christian-Muslimventure was highlighted by the late Bishop John Austin:

‘As the process unfolded what became increasingly clear was just how important it was that

the initiative was a partnership between Muslims and Christians. It would have no credibility

at all without the genuine collaboration of a group of Muslims and Christians who have

become fast friends through the work they have shared together.’

Why Inter Faith?Inter faith engagement covers a vast array of action carried out by people who wantto build mutual understanding and respect. Some of the main reasons for Christian-Muslim engagement include:

• Demonstrating appreciation of people of other faiths and their contributions to society

• Demonstrating to fellow Muslims and Christians the importance of positive interfaith relations.

• Campaigning on common goals, such as social, political or economic justice

• Challenging prejudice and hatred of Christians, Muslims and other people in society

• Learning about the history, beliefs and doctrines of each other’s faith

• Articulating the validity and religious truths of one’s own faith

• Acknowledging historic injustices experienced at each other’s hands

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The First Inter Faith Week for EnglandA draft version of this resource was first shared at local events in Exeter andNewcastle and on our website during Inter Faith Week (15-21 November 2009) as apublic commitment to developing friendships between Christians and Muslims inEngland, and more widely. We are putting building local relationships and workinglocally at the heart of our agenda as a national organisation. We aim to show how anational vision can energise local relationships and initiatives and how local initiativescan begin to change the national landscape. We offer this resource, our commitment,and all our work as a role model for strong, productive, real friendships betweenChristians and Muslims.

Why Build Local Relationships?We believe that:

• not enough Christians and Muslims are involved in building bridges and meeting each other

• encounters between 'leaders' do not trickle down.

• there are many grassroots initiatives but not enough to change perceptions in society

• the benefits to our society of good Christian-Muslim relations are only rarely seen

• ‘religious’ language used by extremists challenges faith communities and inter faith relations

Passionate individuals, willing to reach out to their neighbours in other faith

communities, can give real meaning to what it means to be a neighbourhood.

Why Mosque-Church Twinning?It is often noted that a lot of inter faith work is restricted by the irregularity of eventsand because it only reaches a small section of faith communities, not impactingcommunities at large. Twinning is a unique opportunity to build an ongoing and wide-reaching relationship between faith communities both at leadership and congregationallevel.

Friendships develop over time and grow stronger with more interaction, friendships between faith communities are no different, mosque-church twinninghelps to develop this friendship. Forging a firm relationship with people of other faithsenhances our understanding of people of other faiths and in the process can also helpus in understanding and enriching our own faith and the role it plays in relation tothose of other faiths.

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Twinning is:• a committed public relationship between a neighbouring mosque and church

involving the members of both congregations, their leaders and trustees. Itincludes women and men, young people and the elderly and will have an impacton others who make use of both sets of buildings. The involvement of places ofworship and congregations are central to twinning.

• an effective means of dealing with any suspicion and mistrust that sometimesoccurs in communities. If there is a strong connection between a mosque andchurch there is a direct and effective means of dealing with difficulties throughfriendship and community ties. A long-lasting relationship between a mosque and achurch will help people to cope with challenges facing our communities.

Christian and Muslim Scriptures on RelationshipsThe messages of both Islam and Christianity are not restricted to particular groupsor nations but are for all humanity and having relationships with each other is central:

“We have created you male and female, and made you into nations and tribes so thatyou may know one another” (The Qur’an, Surah 49.13)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart… love your neighbour as yourself”(Mark's Gospel, 13. 29 - 31)

Having neighbours of a different faith is a relatively new experience in this country,when we are not used to it we can think that our scriptures have a similar attitude.However, as these verses, and others, show there is an openness to and a welcomingof 'the other'. They reassure us that we can think differently about the changedsociety in which we live while still being rooted in what is most dear to us.

Case Study: Building Bridges PendleFor ‘One World Week 2005’, Building Bridges Pendle created the ‘Faith CommunitiesProject’. This project involved the pairing of two local Churches and two localMosques, with the aim of further strengthening the links that already exist betweenthese places of worship in Nelson.

The project was given very careful consideration by Building Bridges Pendle when itwas designed. The desired intention being to bring inter faith dialogue to a new levelbetween our faith communities but, at the same time, aim to remain sensitive inpushing the boundaries of what is currently accepted as the perceived limits ofintegration. In this case specifically between the Christian and Muslim faith communities.

There have been many examples that have demonstrated the success of this projectwhich can be seen through events held by places of worship within the twinningscheme, as well as a number of events between ministers and imams as a result of thetwinning scheme. 4

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For example:

1. The Faith leaders of each of these places of worship took part in a workshop toproduce a statement of commitment to work together over the coming years:‘As a Faith leader of a sacred place of worship, I make a promise of workingtogether with my fellow neighbour who does not share the same religion orculture as mine. I will aim to bridge a common understanding between ourcongregations and build a relationship of friendship and respect.’

2. Between the Nelson United Reformed Church and the Muhammadi Mosque - theChurch congregation were invited to take part in a prize-giving ceremony forchildren held at the Muhammadi Mosque. In return, the Mosque leadership andworshippers were invited to the United Reformed Church for a meal on ShroveTuesday. In both of these events, there was considerable learning about thereligious and cultural practices between the imam and the minister and alsobetween the congregations of both faith communities.

3. Christ Church in Nelson and the Central Ghausia Mosque hosted a jointChristianity and Islamic awareness day. Events took place at both the Church andMosque where the priest and imam, adults and children from both congregationshad an input. Another important element during this event was that members ofthe mosque helped to make and serve tea and coffee at the Church. Membersfrom Christ Church helped to serve the food at the mosque.

4. Ministers and imams involved in the scheme and others came together for aworkshop and intense discussion on their role as well as the role of theircongregations in developing cohesion. A pledge to make a difference was produced.

5. ‘We pledge, as leaders and members of Faith Communities, to honour and respectall people in our neighbourhood by creating friendships and opportunities toshare issues and concerns, experiences and expertise; To increase ourunderstanding of diversity and faith: to be positive and active role models of opendialogue and constructive work as a community in our neighbourhoods: basedupon our shared understanding of the oneness of God contained within our ownfaith tradition.’

The ‘Faith Communities Project’ has highlighted the potential of what can be achievedwith strong leadership from faith leaders in bringing their congregations together andsharing in each other's company. It has also shown that it does not compromiseone's faith to take part in inter faith projects such as this one. As small and subtle asany activities may seem, they are very significant in the impact they have ondeveloping the attributes of friendship in people's hearts. Brave steps have to betaken, prejudices be realised and challenged in the process, this is a long-term journey.

We pray that this positive model of inter faith work will be followed by otherprojects throughout the country. What has definitely been appreciated is that peopleof different faiths can come much closer to each other than is perceived.

Rauf Bashir / Building Bridges Pendle 5

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Case Study: Masjid Umar and St Philip's Church, LeicesterHow did the relationship start?

‘I moved in to Roundhill Road, near the mosque, at the time it was opened (2000)and soon got to know the President, imam, and some of the members. This then spreadwider through the St Philip’s Centre, and to some in the congregation, through visits.Also through the encouragement of Revd Diane Johnson and Revd Alan Race.’

What have you done together?

‘The mosque receives countlessgroups of visitors and individuals,through the St Philip's Centre,nearly always at prayer time. It isnow no big deal, and I do not haveto ask, though I usually do forpoliteness sake. Mosquerepresentatives are invited to StPhilip’s when significant visitorscome and the Bishop visitsregularly. We also break theRamadan fast together at Iftarmeals.

Church and mosque are involved inMuslim-Christian dialogue groups,though the groups are wider than mosque and St Philip’s. The church supported themosque in getting public toilets removed near to the mosque. It would be very goodto have a joint social project but it has not yet happened.’

How strong is the relationship?

‘My personal relationship is very strong, when I go there, I find myself known to many,and warmly greeted to ‘Andrew’s mosque’ as the President calls it. In general, this hasradiated more widely, and the open door to us has increased.

The other way round, we are planning to have a course on Christianity for non-Christians, and to ask if some from this and other mosques will come.’

How has it been helpful in times of difficulty?

‘We have shown solidarity after major incidents - and conveyed this - though I havenot yet been invited to address the congregation. They have shown support whenthere has been vandalism, etc. to the church.’

Revd Andrew Wingate / St Philip’s Centre and Church6

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How does Twinning work?The case studies from Nelson and Leicester show that openness, friendship andhospitality are key, as is building on an existing relationship.

Some ideas for twinning:

Invitation to mosque/church open day: making people welcome and becomefamiliar with each others places of worship. Discover how people of different faithworship and create friendships with people of other faiths.

Informal Faith leaders meeting: develop dialogue between local faith leaders and reflect on their role in community development. A chance to plan regular meetings and plan future communication.

Invitation to attend festivals: a great chance to learn about other people’s faithand worship by taking part in festivities

Exchange of speakers: this can be an amazing insight to what faith means and howit is understood by individual members of the faith community in your locality.

Scriptural reasoning: scriptural reasoning is text study between Christians andMuslims that takes part in small groups. Together we can discover and share ourintimate relationship with our particular scriptural revelations (see Resources for further information on Scriptural Reasoning)

Meeting of faith leaders to discuss common concerns in their communities: workingtogether on shared common goals and concerns. Discuss shared concerns and howchurch and mosque can work together.

Joint fundraising or awareness events: holding events to raise money for Christian andMuslim charities, e.g. Christian Aid and Islamic Relief.

Working together to organise awareness on climate change among our communitiesand our role as people of faith in global issues.

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What to do nextThe Christian Muslim Forum is committed to assisting and enabling communities to

establish mosque-church twinning. We can do this in various ways by providing:

• Contacts and support in making initial contact

• Facilitators and access to Forum members in various parts of the country

• Leaders’ training (local and regional events)

• Financial support for initial meetings

• Unbiased information on Christianity and Islam

We are aiming to work with some Baptist congregations as we have received funding from

the Baptist Union.

Please get in touch if you would like to be part of the twinning programme.

On page 10 you can see our draft twinning certificate.

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About the Christian Muslim ForumOur mission is to:

• Create a space where Christians and Muslims meet, learn about and understandeach other

• Live faithfully with difference

• Heal Christian-Muslim relationships

Since our launch in 2006 we have:

• Brought imams and ministers together in pairs and shared case studies.

• Run retreats for Christian and Muslim women

• Organised activity weekends for small groups of young Christians and Muslims

• Provided training for youth workers

• Organised international exchanges for small groups of Christian and Muslims

• Brought Christian and Muslim young people together on global issues such asClimate Change

Friendship has been at the heart of all of these, our vision is for many more Christians and

Muslims to get to know each other.

Our future plans include:

• Men’s and women's Christian-Muslim retreats

• Encounter groups for Christian and Muslim women

• Christian-Muslim dialogue on campus

• Local dialogue and encounter groups

• Family seminars and encounter groups

• Dialogue resources for youth workers

If you require more information on mosque-church twinning or any other Christian-Muslim

issue please don't hesitate to contact us, see back cover. 9

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Support and ResourcesWebsites:

Bradford Churches for Dialogue and Diversity: www.bcdd.org.uk

Christian Muslim Forum: www.christianmuslimforum.org

Greater London Presence & Engagement Network: http://www.londonpen.org

Inter Faith Network for the UK: www.interfaith.org.uk

Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board: www.minab.org.uk

Three Faiths Forum: www.threefaithsforum.org.uk

St Ethelburga’s: www.stethelburgas.org

St Philip's Centre: http://stphilipscentre.dioceseofleicester.com/

World Council of Muslims for Inter Faith Relations: www.wcmir.org

Useful Links

Ethical Guidelines for Christian and Muslim Witness in Britain:

http://www.christianmuslimforum.org/downloads/Ethical_Guidelines_for_Witness.pdf

A Guide to Etiquette for meetings between Christians and Muslims:

http://www.christianmuslimforum.org/downloads/Etiquette_Guide.doc

Christian Muslim Forum Ethos Statement:

http://www.christianmuslimforum.org/downloads/Ethos.pdf

Issues in Christian Muslim Relations, World Council of Churches, 1992.

http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/interreligious/c-mrel-e.html

Resources:

Building Good Relations with People of Different Faiths and Beliefs, Inter Faith Network, 2005

Celebrating Difference, Staying Faithful, Andrew Wingate, Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd, 2005

Guidelines on Dialogue with People of Living Faiths and Ideologies, WCC, 1990

Interfaith Dialogue: A Guide for Muslims, M. Shafiq, M. Abu-Nimer, IIIT, 2007.

Islam and Other Faiths, Ismail al-Faruqi, edited Ataullah Siddiqui, The Islamic Foundation,1998.

Scriptures in Dialogue: Christians and Muslims Studying the Bible and The Qur’anTogether, and The Road Ahead: A Muslim-Christian Dialogue, Michael Ipgrave, CHP, 2004,2002

Striving Together in Dialogue: A Muslim-Christian Call to Reflection and Action,WCC, 2001

The Local Inter Faith Guide: Faith Community Cooperation in Action, Inter Faith

Network, 2005

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Christian Muslim Forum

70 South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, London, SW8 1RL

Telephone: 0207 820 0444

Fax: 0207 840 5811

www.christianmuslimforum.org

info@christianmuslimforum.org

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