CMCS Overview

At Summer School we learned how to communicate firmly and honestly without offending one another in our discussions. We read Biblical and Qur’anic texts, explored inter-faith dialogue through history to the present day and its meaningful application in our society.

- Mwilwa Francis Kapansa, Muslim Summer School student

The combination of academic rigour and practical inter-faith advice that CMCS offers is helping Muslims and Christians locally and nationally to engage with and understand each other more clearly in a world where communications are increasingly strained. I am glad to support the work of the Centre, and long may it continue.

- Martin Gorick, Archdeacon of Oxford

Based on my experiences at Summer School, I am optimistic about the future. I now know people of different faiths can get along very well together as long as everyone keeps an open mind and is respectful of other opinions and ways of approaching things.

- Sally Anne Wheadon, Summer School student

As a Ph.D. Middle Eastern Christian student, my time at the Centre was inspiring and transforming. I actually had the opportunity to meet with some profound scholars and to ask all sort of questions on what it means to read the Bible in the context of Islam, particularly the Old Testament. The discussions that I had with those scholars challenged but inspired and transformed the way in which I am thinking of reading the Bible in my own Middle Eastern/ Islamic context.

- Emad Botros, Research Support Student, McMaster Divinity College

The Qur’an commands Muslims to be faithful witnesses to God, in the cause of truth, in the pursuit of single standards of justice. Muslims must speak the truth about others, even if they see them as rivals for the hand of grace. This is the example set by the Prophet Muhammad and, before him, by Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I am, therefore, pleased to work closely with Christian scholars at CMCS.

- Dr Shabbir Akhtar, Research Fellow

There will be no transformation of relationships without transformation of people and of their thinking. I want to see God transforming the minds of Christian people so that we can resist the worl'd’s power agendas, speak the truth, and be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ in our interactions with Muslims.

- Dr Ida Glaser, Founding Fellow

Being a member of the inter-faith community at the Centre has transformed the way in which I view other religions, especially Christianity, but also has advanced my understanding of my own religion in new ways. From the very first day I came to CMCS to seek advice on my postdoctoral proposal from the Centre’s Director, I was welcomed warmly and assisted most generously by everyone.

- Dr Shirin Shafaie

For my interaction with Muslims all over the world, CMCS has created such a confidence in me. Not only can I interact with Muslim scholars, but I can also provide view points on Christian topics that they would like to learn from me.

- Matthew Jeong

CMCS offers an oasis of hospitality for Christians engaging with Muslims, to develop teaching opportunities, share research outcomes and deepen relationships. Its commitment to inter-faith encounter, grounded in biblical teaching is refreshing, equipping churches to draw alongside Muslim neighbours, without resorting to compromise or aggression.

- Sarah Snyder, Cambridge Interfaith Programme, Director of the Centre of Reconciliation at Rose Castle, Cumbria

Throughout the course of history, Muslims and Christians have been encountering one another. This has sometimes been a negative and, at other times, a positive experience. The Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies offers both academic rigour and a firm commitment to biblical truth in promoting the study of this long history of Muslim-Christian relations. I am glad, as well as thankful, in being able to commend its work to all those who desire a greater knowledge of one of the most pressing concerns of our times.

- Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, President, OXTRAD

When I came to study at CMCS, ISIS was beginning to take territory in Syria. So many atrocities accompanied their reign of terror. That added a layer of intensity to my thought. During that time, Christians heard daily news that put Islam in the most negative light. In my own country and my own congregation, emotions were running high. The controversy about Islam was escalating. I was so thankful for the opportunity to learn more about Islam at that time.

- Guy Gray, Guided Reading student

Through the generous financial and academic support of CMCS, I have benefited tremendously both in my DPhil research and in my understanding of Islamic studies more generally. The academic staff have helped to create a safe yet rigorous environment in which I could explore and flourish as a junior scholar. I wholeheartedly recommend CMCS.

- Dr Richard Park, Assistant Professor of Theology & Ethics at Vanguard University

As a Middle Eastern Christian PhD student, my time at the Centre was inspiring and transforming. The discussions I had with profound scholars challenged but inspired and transformed the way in which I think of reading the Bible in my own Middle Eastern/Islamic context.

- Emad Botros (PhD student)

Thank you for the best week I have spent in education! I hope the relationships we have built will last long into the future and we can support one another in our respective fields. I have learnt so much about myself through the summer school and have found confidence to speak about my own faith in a positive way.

- Muslim Summer School student

The Oxford Muslim-Christian summer school has forever changed how I view my own faith, and that of my Muslim friends and family. It has genuinely been one of the best experiences of my academic career—I can never thank you enough for making this experience possible for me.

- Christian Summer School student

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at CMCS and I believe learning from Dr. Glaser's knowledge and experience was the most privileged and the most productive part of my time at CMCS.

- Iftikhar Ahmed, Sabbatical Learning Student, St Helen's Bishopsgate

I benefited from the presentations and by interactions with various scholars on issues pertaining to Islam and Muslim-Christian relations. In the current climate of inter-religious tensions and strife, what the Centre is doing is valuable: to provide a forum for people of all faiths - academics, religious leaders and members of the public - to gather for honest exchanges grounded in scholarship and friendship.

- Dr Charlene Tan, Institute of Education, Singapore

Academically, CMCS has provided me with a venue not only to expand and deepen my interest in the relationship between the state and interfaith dialogue in the Gulf, but also to present my work on interfaith in Qatar – through a public seminar and a written research briefing.

- Asim Koldzo, Scholarship Recipient, 2013-2014

[Summer School] made me appreciate aspects of my faith I had taken for granted, and also question some of my own assumptions. Overall, I felt like there was a powerful sense of God’s presence in the whole process for me, especially in retrospect.

- Ramona Nash, Summer School student

Our mission partners come with a variety of views and perspectives in Islam. I can be confident that [cross-cultural training at the Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies] both respects the diversity of approaches and challenges them.

- Colin Smith, Church Mission Society

The opportunity to learn from and learn about Islam is one that I would never otherwise have had. This week has been so valuable in my journey of Christian faith and has given me vision for the future, to work within interfaith mission. I wish that everyone who was training in their faith community had a similar opportunity.

- Christian Summer School student

I thank all of the trusts that contributed towards this amazing initiative. Without your generous contribution none of this would have been possible.

- Muslim Summer School student

Inter-faith dialogue is all a bit wishy-washy, isn't it? I used to think so. It seemed a futile attempt at squaring the circle. This Summer School has helped me see otherwise. I've appreciated teachers stating clearly and honestly beliefs they hold about my faith which I find offensive. Without compromising our own faiths, we've been able to listen and learn from one another.

- Christian Summer School student