August 27, 2004

The third meeting of the al-Azhar al-Sharif - Anglican Communion Dialogue is to take place in Cairo, Egypt 8-9 September 2004. A team of scholars and churchpeople, nominated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Rowan Williams, will be meeting with key representatives of al-Azhar al-Sharif in Cairo - the leading religious institution in the Sunni Muslim world. The dialogue is part of a process which provides a means for the Anglican Communion to develop and foster positive relationships of trust and co-operation with Muslim communities. The Anglican Communion's contribution to the dialogue is administered on behalf of Archbishop Rowan by NIFCON, the Anglican Communion's Inter Faith Network.

At a time of continuing world tension, finding opportunities for leading Christians and Muslims to meet and talk about their faiths, what they share in common - as well as their differences - has proved rewarding for both faiths. It is hoped that the meeting in Cairo will build on good existing relationships and further deepen understanding about each other's faith. It is also anticipated that the ongoing process will consider the experience both of Christians who live in predominantly Muslim contexts and of Muslims living in predominantly Christian contexts.

After the formal meeting of the dialogue concludes, Archbishop Rowan will be travelling to Cairo to deliver a lecture in al-Azhar al-Sharif on 11 September 2004, and to visit a social and development project which has been established largely because of the good relationships between personnel at al-Azhar al-Sharif and the Anglican (Episcopal) Diocese of Egypt and North Africa.

For the text of the original agreement for dialogue between the Anglican Communion and al-Azhar al-Sharif see www.anglicannifcon.org/Dialogue.htm

Anglican Communion News Service