Anyone stop to consider that it's the Islamic faith that has issues with the non-islamic faiths? This will not work.


Andover Newton Theological School will host a gathering of more than 100 Baptist and Muslim leaders from across the United States to explore the theme “Loving God as a Pathway to Peace.” These groups share a growing urgency to seek to improve relationships between the two faiths.


President Obama’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Suzan Johnson Cook, and the President’s Ambassador Rashad Hussain, U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation will be present. The speakers will address the topic “Muslims and Christians Working Together for Peace: Signs of Hope and Challenges.”


The American Baptist Churches USA, the Cooperative Baptists, the Alliance of Baptists, the Progressive National Baptists, the Lott Cary Society, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), and Andover Newton Theological School are sponsors of this invitation-only gathering. The program has been made possible by a grant from the Boston Baptist Social Union.


The event at First Baptist Church in Newton is open to the public, with other activities throughout the weekend offered by invitation only. Roy Medley, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA, and Sayyid Syeed of the Islamic Society of North America will lead the delegations as they share each other’s worship and explore each other’s beliefs, sacred texts and religious practices through presentations, panel discussions and small group conversations.