The Christian and Muslim Forum has published the Christian-Muslim Etiquette Guide in an effort to clear up the confusion over what Christians and Muslims should and should not do upon meeting one another.

The guidelines will attempt to provide 'ecumenical' answers to 10 common questions on the practices of Muslims and Christians and particularly sensitive areas, including the prayer habits of both faiths, dress and fasting traditions, with an eye to fostering closer encounters between the two faith groups.

Members of the Christian Muslim Forum come from among the Sunni, Anglican, Shi'a, Catholic, Methodist and Orthodox traditions.

The six-page document is intended to be a helpful guide to both the Muslim and Christian communities and anyone involved in inter-faith activities.

Julian Bond at the Christian Muslim Forum said he hoped the guide would be "useful for those beginning to encounter each other and a springboard for learning more".

The Christian Muslim Forum said in the guidance, meanwhile, that it hoped the advice would "ease some of the obstacles in the path to forming sincere relationships between Christians and Muslims".

"Each faith has values, customs and practices which need to be understood by members of the other faith tradition if one wants to build sincere and sustainable relationships," it read. "This is particularly so with regard to Christians and Muslims who, although they share much in terms of faith, have very different ways of giving expression to this faith."

The guidance advises Muslims and Christians to avoid "polemic, propaganda and proselytisation", calling on Christians in particular to recognise the respect that other faiths, particularly Muslims, give to Jesus Christ.

"Dialogue is an opportunity for witness and for talking about Jesus," the guidance said.

The guidance also sheds light on the different prayer traditions between Christians and Muslims, appealing to Muslims in particular to be aware that Christians often feel the need to pray "in the name of Jesus Christ".

"We ask that they recognise that this is not done to cause offence or highlight theological disagreement but is a natural part of Christian prayer," the guidance read.

The Christian Muslim Forum called for tolerance and compromise from both faith groups in order to build closer relationships.

"We hope that mutual compromise and tolerance will underpin all relationships which, we anticipate, will overcome any offence given inadvertently."


The Christian-Muslim Etiquette Guide can be accessed online at www.christianmuslimforum.org