Faith groups search for a common voice on global challenges

Christians and Muslims with come together this week to explore how they can use a common voice to speak out on world issues.

The conference on Wednesday is the latest in a series of consultations between the Church in Wales, the Muslim Council of Wales and the Welsh Centre for International Affairs.

This is the fourth event and will mark a shift from discussing differences between the faiths to finding ways to work together on global issues.

Called 'Challenges for the Future - Finding a Common Voice', it will attempt to answer hard questions, such as what the two faiths mean in stating that God created a world with all the challenges of suffering, evolution and cosmology. It will also look at how the two faiths can campaign together on the environment, to make their voice heard.

Rev Robin Morrison, church and society adviser for the Church in Wales, said it was important that people of faith see what they have in common, rather than what divides them.

He said, "The aim of these consultations is to build trust and mutual respect between Christians and Muslims, to understand each other better, to face the hard questions and to develop good relationships.

"The Church in Wales has developed close working relationships with the Muslim Council of Wales over some time. These consultations are unique in the UK and each one is attracting more and more interest.

"Having spent time examining our own perceptions and prejudices and negative stereotypes, we are now looking at the way forward - how we can work together in a positive and trusting way."

He said that the conference would look at God as the creator of the world and what people of faith can do to protect God's creation.

"We will be asking what in each faith can motivate us to find a common voice when faced with the seriousness of global and local needs. We will also be asking what in each faith is most precious and reaches across to people in all communities, cultures, organisations and parts of the world," he said.

Saleem Kidwai, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Wales, said, "I can see from the interaction people are having during these consultations that friendships and relationships are being developed, which makes it all worth while.

"It is only through honest and sincere dialogue and interaction that we can bring communities together, dispel the myths, create better understanding, mutual respect and awareness of issues which are common to all the society. We are moving towards working together and sharing the best practices embedded in our faiths for the common good of our society."