Articles - Miscellaneous

Trust or Terror?

Muslims and Christians met together at the Building Blocks Centre in Beeston recently to explore the problems of the War on Terror in the context of our common humanity and spiritual heritage. After an excellent buffet supper, provided by students and staff of the Joseph Priestley College, Bishop John Packer and Dr Hassan Alkatib, President of the Leeds Muslim Forum, addressed the meeting. Group discussions followed and afforded a useful time for sharing experiences and developing understanding.

Bishop John spoke of the important spiritual resources on which Christians can draw in the context of the War on Terror. We were reminded especially of Jesus' words, "Do not be afraid." (Matthew 6 v 25) and of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10 vv 29037) who extended the hand of friendship to a stranger and traditional enemy.

Dr Alkatib endorsed all that Bishop John had said and emphasised many areas of common doctrine which Muslims and Christians share. The Koran makes it plain that Paradise is the abode of Peace and can only be attained by following in the footsteps of the Prophets. The traditional Muslim greeting "Salaam" means "Peace be with you". The equality of all men and women before God and the call to offer care and understanding to one another, are, Dr Alkatib told us, essential tenets of Muslim teaching.

Those of us from St Edmund's who attended the meeting felt privileged to have done so. Goodwill and understanding were much in evidence and it was felt that useful steps had been taken in building a more tolerant society. It was hoped that Concord would arrange further meetings in the future.

Florence Hetherington

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