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Muslim-Christian Colloquium

Opening Public Lecture

Beyond the Headlines:
Muslim - Christian Relations in the New Global Environment

There is a generally held view among many that Muslims and Christians have been in continual conflict with each other since the beginning of Islam in the early seventh century, and they are distinguished by their differences rather than by what they have in common. While not discounting the fact that major theological differences exist between Islam and Christianity, it is important to emphasize the common ground they share – belief in one God, God’s revelation in Scripture and a strong link to Greek thought and science. With so much in common, Muslims and Christians can talk to each other, and work together on issues such as social justice and human rights both here in Australia and elsewhere.

To mark the opening of the University of Melbourne’s International Colloquium on "Managing Muslim-Christian Relations: Educational Policy Options," Archbishop Peter Carnley AO and Professor Abdullah Saeed explore some of the key challenges and opportunities facing Muslim-Christian relations in the current global environment at a free public lecture held at the Sidney Myer Asia Centre on 11 February 2004.

"Liberal Democratic Societies and the New Public Religious Agenda"
The Most Reverend Dr Peter Carnley AO has been the Anglican Archbishop of Perth since 1981 and Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia since 2000. Prior to this appointment, he was the Warden of St John’s College at the University of Queensland, 1973-1978 and Lecturer in Systematic Theology from 1977 to 1981. He also served as Canon of St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane, 1973-1981.

"Muslim Christian Relations: Is Rethinking Doctrines the Way Forward?"
Professor Abdullah Saeed was recently appointed the Sultan of Oman Chair of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne and is currently the Acting Director of the University’s Melbourne Institute of Asian Languages and Societies. He is the author of several books including Islam in Australia (2003) published by Allen & Unwin.

Archbishop Peter Carnley AO (left) and Professor Abdullah Saeed at the Opening Public Lecture for the University of Melbourne's International Colloquium