UAE | General
Interfaith dialogue helps to understand similarities
An interfaith dialogue held recently at the Knowledge Village helped people appreciate and better understand Islam and Christianity, participants said.
- By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 February 24, 2007
- Image Credit: Gulf News
- "I thought people would be aggressive, but the dialogue was in a friendly manner," says Alexandra Wantke.
Dubai: An interfaith dialogue held recently at the Knowledge Village helped people appreciate and better understand Islam and Christianity, participants said.
The dialogue titled, "Who is Jesus Christ? In the light of the Bible and the Quran", was organised by the Muslim Student Association and Christian Fellowship Club from the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
Steven Chike, a student, said he learned a lot about Islam that he did not know previously, specially the similarities between Islam and Christianity.
"It gives you something to think about," said Johanna Samson, 21, a knowledge consultant.
New perspective
Saud and Sara Jubran, both students, said it was an interesting dialogue. "I learned to look at Jesus in the perspective of other religions and to understand the differences and similarities," said Saud.
Uthman Barry, a Muslim convert and a host of an Islamic programme at Sharjah TV, said he enjoyed the discussion. "Muslims and Christians must come together. We have a common enemy, and that is secularism," he said.
Two Muslim converts said the pastor's speech was "honey on the surface. He did not clarify the concept of Trinity", one of them said. Alexandra Wantke, a 23-year-old student, said: "I thought people would be aggressive, but the dialogue was in a friendly manner."
Senior Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Cayman Islands, said there are similarities between Islam and Christianity but that "the differences are quite vast".
Hamed Hamed, a young scholar on Islam and comparative religion, spoke about the similarities between both religions and clarified the perceived differences among religious scholars in light of the Quran, Gospels and Torah.
Latest news
- Strong winds and haze expected in the UAE
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
- Fund drive for displaced Syrians launched
- FNC has kept pace with development — Al Murr
- Reader’s issue resolved
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
