Christian - Muslim Coexistence In Eastern Africa

Joint Conference of Tangaza College [Catholic University of Eastern Africa], Nairobi and Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands

Venue
Tangaza College
Lang’ata South Road Nairobi, Kenya
Organized by Department of Islamic Studies, Tangaza College, Nairobi
and
Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands

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Click to enlarge the map

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Programme - Fees - Contacts

Introduction to the Conférence

Living in the ‘global village’ also means that Christians and Muslims interact on a daily basis. Traditional ethical, moral and religious values are constantly questioned and occasionally eroded. This is true both for Muslims and for Christians. How do we react to these challenges? Do we face them, confront them, discuss them … or do we turn in on ourselves and refuse the challenges?

Muslims have been present in sub-Saharan Africa almost since the beginning of Islam, a religion which spread peacefully, except for some periods of violent jihad when it was imposed on non-Muslim populations in West Africa. The Muslim Sufi orders or Brotherhoods (turuq) played an important role in the spreading of this faith. In their way of presenting Islam, these orders have, in a certain sense, Africanized it.

African Muslims are growing more aware of their identity, more conscious of their belonging to the umma, the worldwide Muslim community. This new awareness and self-consciousness, infl uenced by a variety of external and internal factors, have affected the climate of Christian – Muslim relations.
African Christians and Muslims have, for the most part, lived peacefully together for centuries. Some families have members who are Muslims and others who are Christians. External infl uences, however, brought to bear so effectively and so rapidly by modern methods of communications, can lead to tensions and, sometimes, violent confrontations. The need for understanding and openness to encounter and
dialogue is more urgent now than ever. Since the Second Vatican Council [1962-65], the Catholic Church encourages dialogue and encounter with Muslims.

The main aim of this two-day conference is to bring together Muslims and Christians and to share thoughts and views on how we currently live side by side in Eastern Africa, how we face those factors which draw us together and those which alienate us, what we consider to be the blessings of the modern age and its challenges and how our respective sacred texts guide us and help us to coexist.

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Programme

10 October
Moderator: Fr. Paul Hannon, Tangaza College

MORNING SESSION

Facts and Issues of Christian – Muslim
Coexistence in East Africa

8.30: Registration
9.00: Welcome by Fr. Dr. Tim Redmond, Principal of Tangaza College
9.20: Dr. Jacob Tesfay, Nairobi:
Facts and Issues - A Christian Perspective
10.20: Tea break
10.50: Dr. Abdillahi Abdi, Nairobi:
Facts and Issues – A Muslim Perspective
11.50: Discussion, Questions and Answers

AFTERNOON SESSION

14.00: Sheikh Badru Jaffar, Nairobi:
Islam and Modernity – Analysis and Interpretation
15.00: Prof. Dr. Frans Wijsen, Nijmegen:
Christian Faith and Modernity – Analysis and Interpretation
16.00: Tea break
16.15: Discussion, Questions and Answers
16.45: Fr. P. Hannon: Closing remarks

11 October
Moderator: Shamsia Ramadhan, Nairobi

MORNING SESSION

Christian-Muslim Coexistence in the
Light of Sacred Texts and Present Contexts

9.00: Dr. Johnson Mbillah, Procmura, Nairobi:
The Christian Perspective
10.00: Tea break
10.30: Dr. Ahmed Al-Ezabi, Cairo:
The Muslim Perspective
11.30: Discussion, Questions and Answers

AFTERNOON SESSION

14.00: Rev. Joseph Wandera, St. Paul’s
University, Limuru:
Reconciliation and Peace-building in
Christian – Muslim Dialogue
15.00: Tea break
15.30: Panel discussion of the presenters,
moderated by Fr. Dr. F. Mvumbi,
Tangaza College and CUEA:
Christian – Muslim coexistence:perspectives in focus
16.30: Conference reflections by Dr. S. Nyaga,
Tangaza College and Kenyatta University, Nairobi

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FEES

Registration for both days: K.Shs. 500//-
Registration for Students with ID K.Shs. 200//-
Registration for one day K.Shs. 250//-
Registration for Students for one day K.Shs. 100//-

This includes tea break refreshments.
Lunch is available each day in the College Canteen at additional cost.

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For further information and registration contact: Venue

FR. PAUL HANNON,
Tangaza College,
yusufpaul2@yahoo.com

FR. FRITZ STENGER,
Tangaza College,
stenger@tangaza.org
Tangaza College, P.O. Box 15055
00509 Lang’ata, Nairobi, Kenya,
Tel. 020-891407, Fax: 020-890018

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