Muslim Scholars Thank Christian Scholars

Muslim Scholars Thank Christian Scholars for Embracing
"A Common Word" (November 26, 2007)

In a news conference, held on Monday (November 26, 2007) at the Cultural Foundation of Abu Dhabi, Muslim Scholars invited and hosted Prof. Dr. Miroslav Volf of Yale’s Center for Faith and Culture in order to thank him and his colleagues for their embrace of the 'A Common Word' document issued last month by over 138 Muslim Scholars.

Muslim Scholars Reach Out to Christian Leaders

Dr Anas Sheikh-Ali officially delivering "A Common Word" to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev. Dr Rowan Williams, in Lambeth Palace on October 11th, 2007.

On October 11, 2007, in a dramatic and groundbreaking display of inter-religious solidarity, 138 of the world’s most senior Muslim leaders wrote to the heads of Christian churches proposing a solid base upon which the two global faiths can co-operate in creating peace and understanding in the world. The letter says that world peace could depend on improved relations between Muslims and Christians. It identifies the principles of accepting only one god and living in peace with one's neighbors as common ground between the two religions. It also insists that Christians and Muslims worship the same god. The letter coincides with the Eid al-Fitr celebrations to mark the end of Ramadan.

The letter, entitled A Common Word Between Us and You compares passages in the Qur'an and the Bible, concluding that both emphasize "the primacy of total love and devotion to God," and the love of the neighbor. With Muslims and Christians making up more than half the world's population, the letter goes on, the relationship between the two religious communities is "the most important factor in contributing to meaningful peace around the world".

This letter represents a truly authoritative call for tolerance, understanding and moderation from some of the world’s most influential Islamic leaders and thinkers. In bringing together Muslims from around the world, and from both the Sunni and Shia, Salafi and Sufi traditions, it also marks an historic achievement in terms of Islamic unity

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!

On this Thanksgiving Day we, the founders of Common Tables, pause to give our thanks for you - the people who have stepped forward to help, each in your own way, as together we create a model which offers the world an alternative to bias, bigotry, racism and religious intolerance. A model in which differences are honored and common ground is celebrated.

"When millions of people gather to break bread and discover common stories, they create space in which new stories can be written."

In a few short months Common Tables has grown from a dream of what might be into a global force impacting the way people interact in 47 countries around the world. Together we are proving that Common Tables is an idea whose time has come, an idea with the power to lower perceived barriers and to promote respect and understanding between traditionally disconnected communities around the world.

"You're pioneers and we need you!" Bruce Feiler, author of Walking the Bible, Abraham, and Where God Was Born.

Thank you for being involved in Common Tables. Of greater importance, thank you for standing in the Truth as you see it. We respect, honor and bow to your path . . . and we give thanks that you are exactly who you are.

On this day of Thanksgiving, we affirm the importance of each of you. We respect and honor each of your paths, and are thankful beyond words to have you as part of the Common Tables family.

You are the best!

With Peace, Love and Blessings,

Dave, Kay, Randy and Sandy
Founders, Common Tables

Common Tables Around the World

forty-seven different countries have visited our website

in just a few short months !!!

The Denver Post

WOW! Last week it was a wonderful interview on Colorado Public Radio, this week (yesterday) a terrific article starting on Page 1B of the Denver Post!! Read it here: Breaking of bread, barriers. No doubt about it - Common Tables is creating a real buzz!!!

Common Tables on Public Radio

If you missed our interview on Colorado Public Radio (November 6th on "Colorado Matters"), here's your chance to catch it: Click Here to Listen. Hear for yourself what Randy Harris, one of our founders, and Mark Peters, one of our first members, have to say about Common Tables.

Those wanting a sense of why Common Tables is generating so much excitement should make a point of listening to this interview! (The interview is only about 11 minutes long.)