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Relations with those of other faiths might once have seemed an unusual occupation. More recent times make interfaith engagement – both irenic and otherwise – a major factor in countries around the world. Far from diminishing the importance of place, the proliferation of interfaith engagements across borders means local history, politics, and expectations is as important as ever. Thus, critical engagement with Christian-Muslim Studies still requires a keen awareness of context. With that in mind, this post reflects on both…

The field of Christian-Muslim Studies – and its corresponding work on the ground – is constantly evolving and rapidly growing. Despite the ever-changing nature of their field, however, the scholars, students, and practitioners working in Christian-Muslim Studies maintain at least one constant. Despite religious difference, books can be our common currency. With the need for robust and ongoing scholarship in view, the Christian-Muslim Studies Network has sought out the latest in Christian-Muslim Studies for the last three years. Through book…

MSc Launch at University of Edinburgh The Christian-Muslim Studies Network and School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh officially launched a new taught masters (MSc) in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations on 9 March. A new video released for the launch describes the new course in detail. Applications for the inaugural course, beginning in September 2020, are currently open. The launch was attended by staff and students from New College and the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam…

By Nathanael Vette, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Gratitude: Christian and Muslim Perspectives School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh On 12-14 January, the School of Divinity hosted the third and final workshop discussing Christian and Muslim perspectives on gratitude. The workshop was held at the British University in Dubai, where participants were warmly welcomed by Vice-Chancellor Abdullah Mohammed Alshamsi. As with our first two workshops in Edinburgh and Yale, the event was chaired by Professor Mona Siddiqui and sponsored by the Issachar…

A reflection on Christian-Muslim relations in East Africa By Nico Brice-Bennett This post is from Nice Brice-Bennett, a PhD candidate in World Christianity at the University of Edinburgh. It is a reflection of a paper given by Dr Arngeir Langås’ titled, ‘Peace in Zanzibar: Proceedings of the Joint Committee of Religious Leaders in Zanzibar, 2005-2013’. Dr Langås’ presentation at the workshop was, in effect, an overview of his new book, which is itself a reworked version of his doctoral thesis.…

Scholarship on historic debates By Nathan Hood Nathan Hood is a doctoral candidate in Theology and History at the University of Edinburgh. He specializes in the theological developments of Early Modern Scotland. Given its geographical location on the western edge of Europe, divided from the continent by the sea, most early modern Scots probably never met or encountered Muslims directly. Thus, it is somewhat surprising that Islam appears in sixteenth and seventeenth century Scottish theological discussion. This brief article will…

Watch sessions from recent international conference Updates and recordings from key sessions are now available from the most recent international conference from the Christian-Muslim Studies Network, ‘The Limits of Justice: Law, Ethics, and Theology in Christian-Muslim Relations‘. Find links to video recordings from the conference below: All photos are from the conference proceedings. Photo credit: Nassar Madyun. Opening Lecture Anver Emon (University of Toronto) Polizei and the Framing of Rights: An Islamic Legal Angle Theological Ethics and Christian-Muslim Relations Daniel…

Telos Magazine targets public theology in West Asia and North Africa By Christo El Morr The following is from Dr Christo El Morr, Associate Professor of Health Informatics at York University in Toronto, based on his participation in the CAFCAW conference in Cyprus in 2019. The event was co-sponsored by the Christian-Muslim Studies Network. During the CAFCAW 2019 conference that took place in Cyprus on 31 October 31 – 3 November 2019, a group of participating theologians, artists, and professors…

Wednesday, 29 January – Workshop on Islam and Inter-religious relations in Africa This workshop will meet from 12:30-16:00 in the David Hume Tower, Room LG.06 (University of Edinburgh). Registration is free but should be completed on Eventbrite. Programme: 12:30-13:00 Sandwich lunch 13:00-14:15 Chair: Prof Hugh Goddard (Alwaleed Centre)  Prof Felicitas Becker (University of Ghent) The dynamics of religious reform in Swahili-language sermons from East Africa, with a response from Dr Fayaz Alibhai (Institute for Ismaili Studies) and discussion.  14:15-14:35 Refreshment…

Reflection on Dr Accad’s Proposal of a Kerygmatic Approach The following is a reflection by Sam Nwokoro, a PhD student in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at the University of Edinburgh. The Christian-Muslim Studies Network co-hosted Dr Martin Accad, professor of Islamic Studies at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, along with the Centre for the Study of World Christianity and the Theology and Ethics seminar in November 2019. This was a unique opportunity to hear directly from Dr…