Sr Mary Benedict, SPB, Burnham Abbey, Kent.

Sister Victoria Mary and I have been fortunate in being given the opportunity to attend a course arranged by Christians Aware, of ten two-hour lectures on Islam. At the time of writing we are half way through the course.

It is held an easy train journey away, at Ealing, and designed as “the first steps in understanding Islam”. It is given by Dr Chris Hewer, the St Ethelburga Fellow in Christian-Muslim Relations. St Ethelburga’s Church, which was restored after being bombed, is the Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London. Dr Hewer is well versed in the study of Islam and has had much experience in Christian-Muslim relations in Birmingham.

He presents Islamic belief as it is in the heart and mind of a practising Muslim, and as we go alone he notes where Christians differ and also where there is common ground. Islam traces its descent through Abraham and Hagar’s son, Ishmael, and like Judaism and Christianity, worships the One True God (Allah is an Arabic word and so is also used by Arabic-speaking Christians). Many Old Testament figures are revered as prophets, and this is also how Jesus is understood.

We have also had an overview of Muslim history and the Prophet Muhammad’s life. At different times, Christianity and Islam have been either closer or more apart from each other.

St Francis  had, in the first draft of his Rule, a section for a Brother living among and serving Muslims. St Francis himself visited the Bible lands out of his concern to work for peace at the time of the Crusades.

We are enjoying this chance to gain some knowledge and understanding of Islam—so relevant at a time when reaching towards those who hold this faith as fellow religious human beings is so important; as is praying for many situations where Muslims are involved and sometimes, sadly, in conflict with Christians.

The book arising out of the course and published by SCM Understanding Islam by CTR Hewer is strongly recommended.