Dear Friends,

I take heart from a sudden spate of initiatives for Christian-Muslim dialogue, at local, national and international level.  One hundred and thirty eight leaders of the Muslim world, scholars from every branch of Islam, have written to the Pope, the Orthodox patriarchs, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and `leaders of Christian Churches everywhere` in an open letter saying that `the survival of the world is at stake` if Muslims and Christians do not make peace with each other, and inviting them "to come together with us on the common essentials of our two religions".  "As Muslims, we say to Christians that we are not against them and that Islam is not against them - so long as they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them and drive them out of their homes."

"Finding common ground between Muslims and Christians is not simply a matter for polite ecumenical dialogue between leaders," the Muslim scholars say.  They say that the two faiths comprise more than half the human race, "making the relationship between these communities the most important factor in contributing to meaningful peace around the world.  If Muslims and Christians are not at peace, the world cannot be at peace."  Let us hope that Christian leaders heed their message (as the Archbishop of Canterbury has already done) and that those Muslim leaders can back up their gesture.

At the same time there are local initiatives: a conference to explore how faith based groups and criminal justice agencies can work together will be held in Leatherhead on Friday 23^rd November (sponsored by our own diocese).  Also, `Christians and Muslims: Working Together` - a seminar for those engaged or interested in inter-faith work at local level - will be held at the University of Surrey on Thursday 8^th November, 6 pm - 8.30 pm, when the speakers will be Rev Canon Guy Wilkinson, Archbishop's Adviser on Inter-Faith Relations, Dilwar Hussain, Research Fellow, Islamic Foundation, Leicester, and Canon Jonathan Frost, The Bishop of Guildford's Adviser for Inter-Faith Relations. [For more information please email pat.jones@cofeguildford.org.uk 01483 237866].

The `South East England Faith Forum` is aiming to hold a Conference - its 4^th - in the first half of next year in order to raise the profile of the organisation in our Region.  The likely venue and date at the moment is at the University of Surrey in Guildford on either 7^th or 8^th April.  Anyone interested in knowing more about this, please let me know.

On the other hand, my heart sinks when I read reports on `how we are failing our children`, and on `marriage is good for you` - we know both these things, but successive governments have legislated against doing anything about them.  We know that families with two parents (who actually spend `quality time` with their children) produce more sociable children who perform better in school, but - even after a government report that primary schools increasingly represent the only havens in children's lives - can we expect our politicians to reverse their policies ?  Churches and Muslim leaders will readily agree that families should be supported, but will they be ?

William Lang.