The Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society held a seminal conference, in the truly magnificent setting that was the Trades House of Glasgow, on Monday the 19th September 2016.
In continually seeking to actualise within Scotland the lofty ideals of benevolence, peace, and wisdom, the event brought together–in heart and spirit–Muslims and Christians of all denominations, and from across Scotland and the UK, in an academic setting conducive to dialogue, guidance, and learning.
Titled ‘Christians and the Muhammadan Covenants’, the event sought to fundamentally strengthen hierarchical and grassroots Christian–Muslim relations in Scotland through reflections on the covenantal documents of the Holy Prophet Muhammad [saw] in relation to his forging peaceable alliances and fellowships with those of the Abrahamic faiths.
The keynote lecturers were Shaykh Sayed Ali Abass Razawi, Director-General and Chief Imam of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, and Dr Anthony Allison, of the Bishops’ Committee for Interreligious Dialogue.
Our gratitude extends to the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt. Rev. Dr Russell Barr, for his presence and for his giving words of hope and encouragement in the Vote of Thanks.
The evening’s host was the Rev Cedric Blakey of the Scottish Episcopal Church Committee for Relations with People of Other Faiths.
Themes from the evening highlighted the pertinence for us all to take inspiration from, and implement, the covenantal teachings in today’s socio-religious and political climate, with the aim to together meet contemporary challenges in our shared quest for world peace.
Representation was had from a cross-section of religious, diplomatic, political, defence, public and third sector deputations, whose attendance we are very thankful for. Sunni and Shia community leaders and clerics, the board of our Islamic Unity Alliance, Christian leaders and ministers from all of Scotland’s Churches, and congregational representation, had all assembled, shared in one another’s company, and deliberated upon how to best move forward, taking counsel from one another.
To enhance understanding in a most stirring way, and to learn from one another as Abrahamic faiths, the names of each of the Holy Imams [as] were placed on the 12 tables, as were the names of the 12 Apostles.
Tribute was paid to the Rev Moyna McGlynn, who passed away last month, and she was remembered as a close friend who sowed the seeds for dialogue between Shia Muslims and Christians.
The event was jointly conceived by the Rev Roy Henderson of the Church of Scotland and the Presbytery of GlasgowEcumenical Relations and Interfaith Matters Committee, Sr Isabel Smyth OBE of the Scottish Catholic Church and the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Interreligious Dialogue, the Rev Cedric Blakey of the Scottish Episcopal Church Committee for Relations with People of Other Faiths, and Shabir Beg, Chairman of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society. Our deep thanks goes out to them all.
Our earnest gratitude, in closing, extends to the Trades House of Glasgow for their endless support, and to Rt. Rev. Dr Idris Jones, the Former Deacon Convener of the Trades House of Glasgow.
#International Day of Peace #Humanity #Peace
