For many years, whenever I explained that I taught courses on Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations in theological colleges, the response was ‘Why?’ Over the last few years, as a result of the violent actions of a few radical Muslims, the need to understand Islam has become urgent and obvious. 

The courses we teach introduce undergraduates to other faiths, especially Islam, examining what Muslims believe and how they practise their faith. This gives the students understanding of why Muslims act the way they do and how to relate to them. 

Last year, St. Paul’s United Theological College, in co-operation with the Programme for Christian - Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) began an MA course in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations in order to train people to work as inter-faith advisers for their churches. We now have 16 students from five different African countries studying on the course. When they finish, some will work with PROCMURA and the National Councils of Churches in their home countries. Others will work in their own denominations or lecture in theological colleges. 

Helping church leaders to be aware of other faiths and how to understand those of other faiths is only the foundation. In turn, those who have been trained must teach the Christians in their churches and help them to relate to those of other faiths. 

A former student visited me last week and told me that he is now working in Garissa, a predominantly Muslim town in eastern Kenya, and in relating to the Muslim community he was applying what he had learnt in the Introduction to Islam course at college. 

Such a course prepares men and women for able and faithful ministry in the Christian Church and present day society. 

  Crosslinks magazine January 2006 index