First talks held in Limerick between Muslims and Christians
First step: Twafik Rushdie, Sr Jo ODonovan, Dr Chris Hewer, Shaykh Dr Umar Al Qadri, Rt Rev Trevor Williams, Br Abdu, Fr, Angelo Lafferty and Mr Gerard Ford. (Picture: Cida Silva)
FOR THE first time in Limerick, Christians and Muslims have held talks to discuss their faiths and to find common ground.
A spokesperson for the interfaith network said the intention of the Muslim-Christian dialogue workshop was to give Christians and Muslims a chance to get “beyond the current misconception and prejudice that go hand in hand with ignorance and fear”.
Shaykh Dr Umar al Qadri said the focus of their dialogue was “to get closer to God” and said their dialogue was not about preaching, but about sharing.”
“It is not about converting, it is about serving. It is not about becoming religious, it is about becoming spiritual. It is not about becoming superior, in fact it is all about becoming human,” he said.
The workshop was attended by representatives from Church of England, Church of Ireland, the Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, Protestants and Quakers, and representatives from Doras Luimni, the local support group for all migrants.
The presentations by speakers Dr Chris Hewer and Shaykh Dr Umar Al Qadri provided a concept of an interfaith dialogue from both Islamic and Christian points of view.
Among the topics that were addressed by the groups involved were Muslim-Christian relations in the Mid-West region, the issues in these relations that need to be addressed, a vision for future and how to achieve this vision.
The workshop was hosted by the Mid-West Interfaith Network and Cois Tine at the Access Campus facility in Roxboro. The interfaith network was formed in 2010 and group members represent the diverse faith groups in Limerick and its environs including the Catholic, Anglican, Islamic, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Baha’i and Zoroastrian traditions among others. Their next meeting will be held on July 25 in Doras Luimni’s offices on O’Connell Avenue.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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