Aims of the discussion:

1. To find out how much agreement actually exists between the Muslim and the Christian world-views in the area of global relations.
2. To identify appropriate ways of expressing ideas, in language which is equally congenial to Christians and Muslims.
3. To offer the insights gained through the discussions to Tai, to inform her work as an Observer at the United Nations.

Subject matter: The topics listed include: democracy, freedom and self-government, civil society, human rights, globally consistent justice and equity, respect for law and the rule of law, materialism, cultural specificity.

Background to the Suffolk series

Amadee Turner approached James Atwell, Dean of Bury St. Edmunds with a proposal to set up Christian/Muslim discussions on these themes in Suffolk. They held a meeting on 27 January 2004 with Elizabeth Moore, Lay Education and Training Adviser of the Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and Cynthia Capey, Hon. Faiths Officer of Suffolk Inter-Faith Resource who agreed to draw up an appropriate scheme together. Although the initiative for these particular Christian/Muslim discussions came through Amadee Turner at the behest of the Archbishop of Canterbury's observer at the United Nations, Cynthia and Elizabeth felt it was important to appreciate the local context and to integrate this initiative into the inter-faith work that was already going on in Suffolk. They proposed to have 2 groups for Suffolk (one in Bury and one in Ipswich), commencing in the Autumn 2004. The Ipswich discussions would build on existing dialogue between interested bodies and would connect to the regular Forums of Faith. The Bury ones would seek to draw in new people as speakers and participants and to involve Churches Together in Bury and the St. Edmundsbury Borough Council as partners. The subject matter would be approached under four main topics:

• Globalisation and Consumerism
• Governance and Democratic Society
• Human Rights
• Justice and the Rule of Law

Each session would be introduced by speakers with a competence in the subject matter, to stimulate informed debate. Participants would include Muslims from various backgrounds, and Anglicans together with representatives of other Christian groups. It was hoped that there would be some degree of continuity between the 2 groups and that it would be possible to set up joint focus groups in the Autumn of 2005 to follow through particular interests and concerns.

The Ipswich Series: The Ipswich series was launched by a Forum of Faiths public seminar on "What do the Faiths teach about Justice" in the Crown Courts, Ipswich. It was followed up by 2 discussion groups on Democracy and Human Rights and culminated in a Forum of Faiths seminar on "What do the Faiths Teach about Democracy?" This was held in the Council Chamber of Endeavour House (HQ of Suffolk County Council). The Ipswich series aimed at a wider audience in order to reflect the multi-faith nature of the community within which any Muslim/Christian dialogue takes place.

Speakers' profiles:

Sue Young is the World Development Adviser for the Anglican Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich. In this voluntary role she is active in encouraging the church to campaign for a fair deal for the world's poor. She is a long time supporter of the Campaign for Trade Justice, Jubilee Debt Campaign, Christian Aid and the World Development Movement. Sue's career has been in town planning, most recently developing regional transport policy for the East of England Regional Assembly.

Asaf Hussain is currently Assistant Headteacher at Ixworth Middle School where he teaches 9-13 year olds a mixture of Mathematics, History and Geography. He has a degree in Economics and Geography. He was born and raised in Bradford, West Yorkshire but has worked and lived in Suffolk since 1995. His primary interests are in the fields of Development Geography and in the global 'North/South' divide.

Mike Dawson is the Corporate Director for Community at St Edmundsbury Borough Council with responsibility for the management of the Council's Environmental Health, Strategic Housing and Leisure Services, he is also the lead officer for the Council's Diversity agenda. Part of Mike's role at St Edmundsbury is to encourage all communities to fully engage in the governance issues relating to local community affairs and service provision. He is also keen to facilitate people and communities to reach their full potential and has recently established within the Community Directorate, the Community Development Unit to lead this work.

Mojlum Khan has a degree in Business and Social Policy and work experience in retail management and public transport. He is the manager of the Bangladeshi Support Centre in Ipswich and visiting Imam at Hollesley Bay Prison. He is a writer and literary critic and a regular lecturer in Islam for SIFRE. Mojlum studied Islamic Sciences and Qur'anic Arabic at the Hijaz College and is currently writing a book on Islamic Intellectual History.

Muhammad Manwar Ali, popularly known as Abu Muntasir in the Islamic community, has a B.Sc.(Hons) and M.Sc.in Computer Science from London University and has worked in the IT industry for around 25 years. Manwar has also been involved in Islamic work for over 20 years across the country and has extensive experience in teaching and Muslim social affairs. He is especially loved by university students' Islamic Societies. His work has led to the establishment of the UK Charity JIMAS which reflects his activities in detail. He has successfully balanced professional and voluntary Islamic activities while being blessed with a large family.

Gitti Dunham works in the field of human rights as a voluntary activist. She is on the International Issues Sub-committee of the Board of Amnesty International UK and has a specific responsibility for the Central Asian Republics. She also interprets for Kurdish Asylum Seekers. She is a convert from Islam to Christianity and attempts to relate her work in the field of human rights to her faith as a Christian.

Graeme Garden is a Methodist Local Preacher. He was a Magistrate for 32 years, a member of the Board of Visitors of Highpoint Prison, and Member of the Board of Suffolk Probation. Since 1988 he has been a Member of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association. He has recently been appointed to HM Courts Board with effect from 1st April 2005.

Ahmed Elsharkawy has a degree in Medical Biochemistry and Islamic qualifications obtained from Egypt. He is currently a full-time Imam at Highpoint Prison in Newmarket and member of the trustees board of Ar-Rahman Academy for Cultural and Religious Activities based in London. He is a reader on Islam and science with a particular interest in Qur'anic Sciences.