Successful interfaith meeting at Town Hall

Date published: 21/04/2008

An ‘Open House’ interfaith discussion held at Rochdale Town Hall last Friday evening, 18 April, proved to be a resounding success, with a full-capacity audience representing various ages, genders, different faiths and a diverse range of backgrounds.

Imam Irfan Chishti, of Jamia Chashtiah Mosque, and The Rev'd James Read, Vicar of Whitworth & Facit, spoke from the respective Islamic and Christian perspectives, in response to interest incorporating the meeting’s initial theme: 'Jesus and Mary: In the light of the Quran and the Bible'.

Malcolm Journeaux, founder of Rochdale Online, chaired the discussions - described by the panel as, "a welcome chair with an agile touch, who ensured we had equal time shares... giving everyone present fair opportunities to contribute and probe".

Rev’d Read commented: “While not neglecting nor dismissing our diversity, the event proved to be an occasion for everyone to share, learn and gain new insights from closer engagement with one another. Along with Imam Irfan, other guests and the voluntary local event planner, I wish to thank Malcolm for his time and being an excellent Chair.”

Imam Irfan stated: “This was an exceptional opportunity for the wider community to come together and listen in, as well as ask questions about Jesus and Mary.

"The meeting, as pointed out by the audience, improved understanding from both Islamic and Christian outlooks, while encouraging the varied participants to both query and reflect positively.

During the event, there was a break at approximately 8.15pm for Muslim attendees to perform their Sunset Prayers. Non-Muslims were encouraged to observe how Muslims pray.

After a short interval for light refreshment and an informal get-together, a period of ‘chaired’ open debate followed. The event concluded at 9.15 pm with the Compline - Christian night prayers. This allowed participants to also observe how Christians pray.

Malcolm Journeaux said: "It was an honour and a privilege to be asked to chair this meeting. I found it very interesting and informative and learned a great deal. I hope there will be further opportunities in the future for people of different faiths to come together and discuss what I would call 'unity within diversity'."

Rev’d Read concluded: “The purpose of the evening was to encourage Christians and Muslims to unite and learn more about their own and each other’s faiths. The objective was to offer people the opportunity to appreciate just how much the two faiths share in common - not simply on beliefs about Jesus and Mary, but on the moral principles that provide hope and visions of a more just and peaceful world. The meeting was characterised by respectful attitudes to one another's faiths, as well as a goal to learn, understand and jointly work to broaden insight, remove ignorance and help get rid of prejudice.”