INTRODUCTION

 

·         The meetings provide an opportunity for the Muslim and Christian communities to share their spiritual beliefs in an effort to better understand each other.

·         The meeting is not a debate. We wish to avoid argument as this not productive.

·         The meeting is not a dialog in that we do not wish either community to compromise it’s message or mix the two faiths.

 

WHY MEET?

 

·         There is a misunderstanding of the religion of El-Islam in the United States because of its presentation in the secular media as a religion of terror and also because of lack of interaction (or talking) with Muslims. Also Muslims misunderstand Biblical Christianity, thinking that it is the same as American culture, and that is loose and false with no moral law in it. Also, that it is not capable of offering any good solution to man’s problem. The meetings are therefore needed and healthy for both Christians (Bible believing Christians) and Muslims. They are also needed for both communities to better understand each other as human beings.

 

WHO IS INVOLVED?

 

·         The meetings involve groups of people from mosque and church.

·         The meetings require a moderator and two speakers. The moderator for each meeting is chosen by the group, which hosts the meeting.

·         The two speakers speak in turn on a prearranged topic for 30 minutes each.

·         The Muslim speaks from the Quran and the Christian speaks from the Bible.

·         A 30-minute question and answer period is held after both speakers have presented their message.

 

HOW OFTEN DO WE MEET?

 

·         Meetings can vary in frequency but meeting once a month is a common choice.

 

WHERE DO THE MEETINGS TAKE PLACE?

 

·         The first meeting takes place in the mosque and is later reciprocated in the church building, alternating after this as is mutually convenient.

 

WHAT IS THE MEETING FORMAT?

 

1.       Recitation from the Quran.

2.       Reading from the Bible.

3.       Introduction of the Bible.

4.       Speech.

5.       Speech.

6.       Question and answers.

7.       Closing Remarks.

8.       Refreshments (optional).

 

WHAT TOPICS DO WE DISCUSS?

 

·         Topics of mutual interest are arranged with officials at the mosque before the meeting.

·         During meetings, Muslims explain their understanding of what the Quran teaches about the topic and Christians explain their understanding of what the Bible teaches about it.

·         Topics are classified as theological or social. It is common to alternate between the two classes of topic from meeting to meeting (see below).