From September 2nd through 4th, Dialogue Across Borders cosponsored a third round of the “Journey of Learning” interfaith program with the Centre for Christian-Muslim Understanding and Partnership in Cairo. The conference offered Christians and Muslims an opportunity to listen and learn from one another about their respective faiths. With the assistance of Anglican Archbishop Emeritus, Dr. Mouneer Anis, and al-Azhar University professor, Dr. Ismāʿīl ʿAbdallāh, we assembled a diverse group of lecturers and participants from Al-Azhar University, the Coptic Orthodox Theological Seminary, St. Leo the Great Coptic Catholic Seminary, the Alexandria School of Theology (Anglican/Episcopal), and CAWU/DAB interns and staff. In our experience, the program is unique in modern Egypt in its aim to facilitate learning and dialogue around explicitly theological and doctrinal topics.

The conference addressed several important subjects, including the following:

- The Place of Women in Christianity and Islam

- Perspectives on War and Violence in Scripture 

- The Challenge of Social Integration in the Middle East and Europe

- Religion in Europe

- The Stories of Joseph and Abraham in the Qurʾān and the Bible

CAWU-DAB would like to express our profound gratitude to Archbishop Mounir at the Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding and Partnership, Dr. Ismāʿīl ʿAbdallāh at Al-Azhar University, and SGP International in the Netherlands for their partnership in this important initiative. We were particularly glad to welcome Ms. Elise Abbey Van Dorn from SGP International to Egypt and for her participation in our program.

In the coming weeks, we will publish several of the lectures from the program on Dialogue Across Borders. We plan to offer additional program sessions in 2025.

All the very best,