Christian - Muslim Relations
Muslim-Christian National Initiative
The Muslim-Christian National Initiative (MCNI) began meeting in the fall of 2007 with enthusiasm from all sides, representing both Muslim and Christian communities in the United States. The MCNI met for the second time at the ELCA Churchwide office, on September 15-16, 2008. Leaders from these communities discussed how we together address issues in the U.S. context, from interfaith marriage to stigmatization of the "other," in ways that reflect the integrity of our respective faiths.
The most recent meeting was in February 2009 in Los Angeles.
Learn more about the MCNI's launch in North America.
Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Muslim Relations
The Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Muslim Relations was formed in 2008 in order to enhance awareness and understanding of Muslims for those in Lutheran and ecumenical partner contexts. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the resources available to you.
New ELCA Resource: Christian-Muslim Talking Points
Produced by the Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Muslim Relations, the
Christian-Muslim Talking Points resource is a set of eight leaflets to set forth opportunities for discussion around issues in Christian-Muslim Relations. These Talking Points are intended to stimulate reflection, response, and activity on key issues as part of ongoing inter-religious engagement today. Each leaflet addresses a particular topic and concludes with several questions for further discussion. These Talking Points raise real questions that might otherwise go unaddressed.
A Common Word Between Us and You
On October 13, 2006, 38 Islamic authorities and scholars from around the world, representing all denominations and schools of thought, joined together to deliver a message in the spirit of open intellectual exchange and mutual understanding. Muslim scholars from every branch of Islam spoke with one voice about the true teachings of Islam.
Exactly one year after that, on October 13, 2007, Muslims expanded their message. In
A Common Word Between Us and You, 138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals have unanimously come together to declare the common ground between Christianity and Islam. Every major Islamic country or region in the world is represented in this message, which is addressed to the leaders of all the world's churches, and indeed to all Christians everywhere.
Read
A Common Word,
download the document,
or
download the accompanying Study Guide.
Muslim Americans and the Quest for a More Perfect Union
Telling the story of Muslims in America is more important than ever. “
Muslim Americans and the Quest for a More Perfect Union” tells that story. This video, which is part of the Young Muslim American Voices project of the Faith and Progressive Policy Initiative at the
Center for American Progress, captures the history and diversity of Muslim-American communities, highlights their participation in civic life, and looks toward a future where celebrating the worth and religious liberty of every American is made real in everyday life.
Ecumenical response issued to 'A Common Word'
The NCC Governing Board has approved an ecumenical response to "A Common Word Between Us and You," declaring Christianity and Islam "are compelled to find common ground." The Muslim message is a letter from Muslim scholars worldwide that seeks dialogue with Christians based on love of God and love of neighbor, two commandments central to both Islam and Christianity, as well as to Judaism.
Read more. . .
What is "Change the Story"?
Huge numbers of Americans profess to having little knowledge of Islam despite the fact that there may be as many as five million Muslims living in the U.S.
ChangeTheStory.net offers an interactive experience where users—Muslim and non-Muslim alike—can meet their neighbors, learn about Islam and apply techniques of interfaith dialogue and action to local communities. Our primary audiences are educators, religious leaders and individuals concerned about building bridges of understanding across lines of faith and culture.