wfn.org | ACNS3613 Christians and Muslims 'back on track' with inter

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3613     |     MIDDLE EAST      |	   7 OCTOBER 2003 

Christians and Muslims 'back on track' with inter faith dialogue

by Philip Whitfield 

[ACNS source: 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.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, played a key role in
re-establishing the dialogue that was disrupted in the wake of the
election of Canon 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 which was delivered by the Episcopal Bishop in Egypt, the Rt
Revd 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," Dr 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. Dr 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
Dr 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," Dr
Samman added.

"In terms of practicality, it is useful to see that the issue of
homosexuality was dramatic enough to cancel the scheduled inter faith
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."

Bishop Mouneer was one of the delegates to the Inter Faith Conference
derailed in New York in early September and has worked since then in
dozens of meetings with Muslims to resume inter faith dialogue.

Bishop 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," Bishop 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]

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