Affinity Intercultural Foundation

Sustained Dialogue: Close Encounters of the Muslim-Christian Kind

Introduction

The primary objective and challenge of interfaith dialogue initiatives is to have a positive lasting change in people's understanding of the 'other'. There is a need to formulate innovative community-based educational approaches to ensure that participants in Muslim-Christian interfaith encounters leave thinking differently, feeling differently and acting differently.

In order to trial a different approach, Affinity Intercultural Foundation and St Charles Catholic Church in Ryde, Sydney, developed the idea of having house discussion groups. The project comprised of six separate groups having monthly meetings for six consecutive months. Each group was made up of four Muslims and four Christians. A facilitator directed each meeting, which covered a set topic from a Christian and Muslim perspective in each meeting. After a particular faith's perspective was presented, a respondent from the other faith tradition summarised the presentation in their own words and as they understood it. This was followed by an informal discussion and questions and answer session.

The experience has generated profound understanding of the other in their frame of reference. Surprisingly, it has also led participants to better understand their own faith tradition. The key to success was the establishment of an atmosphere of trust in an informal setting of a house, training each participant in listening skills and having a willingness to understand. The right atmosphere, the right skill set and right attitude produced a unique community-based educational approach in Muslim-Christian relations.