wfn.org | [ENS] Christians and Muslims 'back on track' with interfaith

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dialogue

10/7/2003  

Christians and Muslims 'back on track' with interfaith dialogue

by Philip Whitfield 

[Episcopal News Service]  The broad smiles and warm handshakes told it
all. Christians and Muslims are back on track discussing  the "heavenly
religions," as the Sunni Muslim leader put it. 

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams played a key role in
reestablishing the dialogue that was disrupted in the wake of the
election of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man living in a committed
relationship, as bishop of New Hampshire. A letter from him to the Grand
Imam of al-Azhar al-Sharif, Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawy, delivered
October 4,  reassured the Sunni leader that Anglicans were not about to
change their theology.

The letter was delivered by the Episcopal Bishop in Egypt, The Rt. Rev.
Dr. Mouneer H. Anis, said that the official position of the Anglican
Communion over human sexuality remains unchanged. 

"The official position of the Anglican Communion with regard to matters
of human sexuality remains that which was expressed at the Lambeth
Conference in 1998," Williams wrote. "May I in conclusion assure you of
my own hope that our dialogue will be able to resume in due course and
that it will increasingly develop into a channel of serious and fruitful
communication between our communities at a time when this is so badly
needed in many parts of the world."

Sheikh Tantawy listened to every word of the letter as it was read to
him by Dr. Ali El Samman, vice president of the interfaith committee
that was established after the former Archbishop of Canterbury George
Carey visited Al Azhar in 1999. Samman, once one of Egyptian President
Sadat's closest aids and media advisors, placed extra emphasis on the
unambiguous reassurance from Williams.

Sheikh Tantawy smiled approvingly and shook Mouneer's hand warmly. Later
Samman explained the importance of the meeting.

"The significance is that we are demonstrating that where there is a
problem, or difficulty, the leaders (of the monotheistic religions) are
here to resolve these problems. The Grand Imam received a very clear
letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury clarifying the actual
situation. At the same time the Grand Imam gave approval for the
continuance of the interfaith dialogue," he said.

"The second significance is the quick reaction by the Grand Imam with a
letter the same day in response, acknowledging the archbishop's letter.
It means these two leaders are keen to develop their cooperation,"
Samman added.

"In terms of practicality, it is useful to see that the issue of
homosexuality was dramatic enough to cancel the scheduled interfaith
meeting in New York. That means that leaders of religions more than ever
should be cautious when they consider such matters concerning not only
our daily life but concerning general ethics and the responsibilities of
public office," he said.

Mouneer was one of the delegates to the Interfaith Conference derailed
in New York in early September and has worked since then in dozens of
meetings with Muslims to resume interfaith dialogue.

Mouneer had been equally successful in his reassurances to Pope
Shenouda, leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, who has accepted that
the election of a gay bishop is not official Anglican church policy. 

"I am delighted with today's outcome. We hope to hold the cancelled
meeting here in Cairo within the next few weeks," Mouneer said.

-- Philip Whitfield is communications officer for the Episcopal Province
of Jerusalem and the Middle East, for the Dioceses of Cyprus and the
Gulf, Egypt and Iran. He can be reached at
phil@companionsincompassion.org or directly at (Egypt) 012/771-4149