Islam and Christianity at University Campus Suffolk

By Jon Wright
BBC Suffolk

Lord Harries founded the Oxford Abrahamic Group

Suffolk's university campus is starting a series of open lectures exploring how different faiths can work together.

Professor Lord Harries is presenting his views on 'Christianity and Islam in the Modern World' on Thursday, 13 January, 2011.

"First of all I want to help explain why religion is still such a major player on the world stage," he said.

"Basically, religion has become a key marker in identity in this modern world as a result of globalisation."

The lecture is the first of a series organised by University Campus Suffolk (UCS) and the Suffolk Inter-Faith Resource (SIFRE).

Professor Lord Harries said: "People who were brought up in the 1960s thought that religion had had it, that it was on its way out.

"But now you can't pick up a newspaper or listen to the radio with some reference to religion."

UCS at Neptune Quay on Ipswich waterfront is home to SIFRE

Come together

Richard Harries was Bishop of Oxford from 1987-2006.

He was made a life peer, Lord Harries of Pentregarth, on his retirement and is Gresham Professor of Divinity, and also an Honorary Professor of Theology at King's College, London.

Speaking on BBC Radio Suffolk's Rob Dunger Sunday breakfast show ,he wanted to explore how the two faiths shared values.

"I want to move on to give some principles about how Christians and Muslims can relate to each other," he said.

"It's very important to say that dialogue between religions doesn't just take place between theologians or church leaders.

"It takes place whenever two people are chatting at the bus stop or the newsagents.

"If you move away from 'nice weather' to more serious things, that's when religious dialogue happens, any respectful serious conversation.

"It's an attempt to understand one another's position better, to avoid the stereotypes and to build up common ground."

Talking to the faithful

SIFRE said it is delighted that Lord Harries accepted the invitation to deliver the first annual lecture on inter-faith issues.

David Capey, SIFRE honorary executive officer, said: "We've worked with the faiths of Suffolk for 20 years promoting understanding and building mutual respect between all of the faith communities in our county.

"We believe that the relationship between Christians and Muslims in Suffolk is a good one and we see this lecture as an opportunity to further enhance the work we are endeavouring to do."

Christianity & Islam in the Modern World - Thursday 13 January 2011, 5.30pm Lecture Theatre 1, Waterfront Building, University Campus Suffolk, Ipswich.