September 26, 2011

KOTA-KINABALU, Malaysia/GENEVA – Muslim and Christian scholars are meeting in Kota-Kinabalu, Malaysia, 25-30 September, to address the spiritual and moral roots of the current global economic crisis, in a consultation organized by The Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

The 40 scholars and faith leaders, economists and grassroots organizers gathered at the Sabah Theological Seminary will engage one another and seek new ways to speak and act together on economic issues. Deliberations will be held under the topic "Interfaith Dialogue Engaging Structural Greed Today."

"Greed has been shown to be not merely an individual flaw but one that has led to the formation of formidable political and economic structures that enable a few people to seek unlimited financial gain," says a background paper for the meeting, organized by the LWF Department for Theology and Studies (DTS).

"These expressions of structural greed often built on the backs of those who are vulnerable and poor, and ruled by unfairness and injustice stand in stark contrast to the long-held values of the Christian and Islamic traditions," it adds.

The meeting also aims to look at the way the structural organization of greed contributes to the environmental crisis. "Climate change will be an additional burden on the poorest and most vulnerable people in this world, who will disproportionately suffer due to the spread of diseases, conflict over land and water, as well as food shortages often caused by unfair and imbalanced distribution rather than the lack of food," said Rev. Dr Martin Sinaga, study secretary for Theology and the Church at DTS.

Participants will also explore alternative economic models that are based on values common to Muslims and Christians, and identify Islamic and Christian communities that are consistent with these faith values. The goal is to develop a common basis for Muslims and Christians to engage on the structural greed that undergirds today's economic global life.

"The main issue to be delved into is how both faiths have been transforming their theologies in light of the ongoing global economic reality," said Sinaga. "What are their main theological concerns today in relation to the world's economy?" he added

The scholars and faith leaders will look at the role of the common good – "maslaha" – in engaging critically the neo-liberal economic system, the meaning of money and usury in Christianity and Islam, and Islamic banking and the "economy of communion," Sinaga explained.

Lutheran World Information