Muslims at Spiritans' Interfaith Dialogue Gathering Propose Practical Model for Dialogue in Africa

Sheikh Hassan Kinyua Omari, chairman of the Muslim Professionals League Africa (MUPLA), proposed a Christian-Muslim dialogue model based on shared learning, service, and community engagement during an interfaith workshop held from September 6 to 10. Speaking at the workshop organized by the Circumscriptions of Africa and the Islands (SCCAI) of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Omari suggested that meaningful relations require Christians and Muslims to meet in practical settings rather than just formal meetings.

Omari noted that a lack of direct exposure to other faiths can lead to limited understanding and confusion regarding why different religious traditions participate in interfaith initiatives. He shared that during his presentation on September 8, he addressed the need to move engagement into local communities to prevent people from relying on assumptions about other religions.

As part of his approach to interfaith education, Omari requires his students to visit various religious communities and experience their places of worship firsthand. He encouraged participants in interfaith encounters to ask direct questions about religious practices, such as those observed in a mosque, to gain firsthand understanding from those who observe them.