Getting to ‘know each other better’

Sydney
11 November 2001

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Getting to ‘know each other better’

Aziza Abdel Halim of the Muslim Women’s National Network of Australia and Sr Pauline Rae

By Chris Hook

Christian-Muslim dialogue has ben lent a new urgency since the September 11 tragedy.

And this has been reflected in the numbers of people attending ecumenical events.

A meeting at Epping of Christians and Muslims attracted an unusually large audience – 250 people. Such meetings normally generate an attendance of around 30, says the ecumenical officer of the Sydney archdiocese, Sr Trish Madigan.

And 60 people turned up for a lunchtime meeting in the CBD last week to hear Sr Pauline Rae, head of the Columban Centre for Christian and Muslim Relations, speak on the controversial theme of Christianity and Islam as religions of peace, a subject she also broached at the Epping meeting.

Among those present during the brief lunchtime forum was Archbishop Baliozian of the Armenian Orthodox Church, who had come as a representative of the National Council of Churches (NCC).

His NCC colleagues were engaged in a dialogue with Islamic leaders, so were unable to attend.

Sr Pauline told the lunchtime forum it had to be acknowledged that there was fear between the faiths and that it was mutual.

“One of the good things that has happened in the midst of tragedy is the recognition here in Australia that Muslims and Christians need to get to know each other better,” she said.

“It’s heartening to see Christians wanting to overcome barriers.

“As we work on our multicultural society, we must also work on our multi-faith society.”

Islamic converts Jamila Hussain and Dawood Goddard drew attention to the strength of Islamic civilisation and the common origins of the Judaic, Christian and Islamic faiths.

“Believers of Christianity and Islam have to seriously examine common ground,” Mr Goddard said. “Minor differences are creating huge misunderstandings.”

Jamila Hussain also had encouraging words for inter-faith dialogue.

“Muslims in Australia see themselves as friends and want to live in peace with Christian and Jewish communities. I hope we can continue to work towards that in Australia and the world,” Ms Hussain said.

And the Rev Graham Brookes, of the Uniting Church Assembly’s Relationships with other Faiths Committee, issued a challenge for Christians.

“Christians need to be much more radical in their own self-appraisal” Rev Brookes said. “May we learn very quickly indeed how to live with our neighbour who is different. It’s something the world badly needs and we in Australia have a good chance of pulling it off.”