The Center for Anglican Communion Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary recently partnered with Msalato Theological College in Dodoma, Tanzania to host the 2014 Christian-Muslim Conference. Facilitated by the Rev. Christ Ahrends, diocesan missioner of the Diocese of Saldanha Bay in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, over 60 Muslim and Christian faith leaders from Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, the United States and Tanzania came together to learn from one another and discuss local peacebuilding commitments:
Co-hosted with Msalato Theological College, conference participants were welcomed on the first day by Archbishop Jacob Chimeledya (VTS ‘03), Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, and Sheikh Mustapha, Regional Sheikh of the Dodoma Region, who were both enthusiastic about the potential of this gathering to achieve mutual respect and unconditional compassion between the faiths:
“It is my wish that this conference becomes a vehicle for us, as religious leaders, to lead us to a deeper understanding of one another,” said Archbishop Chimeledya. “So that as we leave here, we can share the truth with our fellow believers.”
Sheikh Mustapha added: “God made humankind so that we may know one another, instead of despising one another.”
For the rest of the story, including the text of the Dodoma Statement 2014, please visit the Center for Anglican Communion Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary.