Press Releases29 Apr 04

Christian-Muslim dialogue starts in South Belfast

CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE STARTS IN SOUTH BELFAST

The Belfast Islamic Council and the Select Vestry of St Thomas? Parish Church in South Belfast met for the first time this week to begin a dialogue aimed at developing greater understanding between Muslims and Christians.

Canon Walter Lewis, Rector of St Thomas?s, said: ?This meeting was held in a warm atmosphere of friendship and fellowship and a unanimous decision was taken to hold another meeting in October. It was a very encouraging start to Christian-Muslim dialogue in South Belfast.?

In a lively discussion topics included the ordination of women in the Church, women?s dress in Islam, the jihad and suicide bombers, and the role of the Churches here in overcoming hatred between Catholics and Protestants.

Canon Lewis gave an overview of the continuity in the life of the Church through the monastic movement, the Viking and Norman settlements and the 16th century Reformation to the present day. He referred to ?The Three Pillars of Anglicanism? ? Scripture, Tradition and Reason and the role of St Patrick in bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Dr Jamal Iweda, the President of the Belfast Islamic Council, gave a brief presentation on Islam. He highlighted the common roots of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in the Old Testament. He pointed out that a small number of the 4000 Muslims in Northern Ireland have lived here for 300 years, but most have come in the twentieth century. The Mosque in Wellington Park was opened in 1977.

Canon Lewis presented a copy of the Church of Ireland?s new Book of Common Prayer to the Imam Mohammed and received a copy of the Koran from Dr Iweda.

Dr Jamal Iweda, President of the Belfast Islamic Council,
and Canon Walter Lewis, Rector of St Thomas' Parish, South Belfast