DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A national four-year dialogue between United Methodists and the Muslim community is set to begin next year.
The United Methodist Church (UMC) said the effort is a show of solidarity in the face of anti-Muslim sentiment following last year's terrorist attacks, according to the United Methodist News Service.
Eight-member dialogue teams of United Methodists and Muslims will meet twice a year for four years, beginning in 2003. Goals and issues will be discussed during the first meeting.
Members of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns proposed the dialogue after visiting the Islamic Center of Southern California in October 2001. The Muslim Public Affairs Council will be involved in arranging the dialogue, according to the news service.
