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Background
In January 2006, a group of Christian and Muslim leadership in Los Angeles and Orange County was convened by Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, Ecumenical Officer of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and Jihad Turk, Religious Director of the Islamic Center of Southern California, to discuss the need for a group of leaders in Southern California that could come together regularly to address issues of common concern to Christians and Muslims in this post 9/11 context. The members represent leadership in the mainline Christian denominations and several of the largest and most influential Muslim organizations in Southern California. All representatives are actively committed to interfaith and social justice issues within their judicatories.
Mission Statement
To work in partnership with leaders of various streams of Southern California Christian and Muslim communities to enhance mutual understanding, respect, appreciation, and support of the Sacred in each other.
Goals and Outcomes
The Christian-Muslim Consultative Group promotes learning, dialogue and advocacy among its representative members and our wider communities of faith through lectures, workshops, press releases, youth gatherings, and other activities in order that:
· Christian and Muslim leaders will learn more about each others’ faith and tradition as well as about their own, which will impact how they present each other to their own community.
· Christian and Muslim congregations will be encouraged to engage in dialogue leading to greater openness and appreciation of each other.
· Our religious leaders will be able to speak more effectively and with one voice, especially at times of crisis.
· Local dialogue and cooperation will lead to changing of Christian and Muslim attitudes toward each other.
Past events that support these goals and outcomes include:
· Panel and discussion on Islamophobia in the Media. (This event is available for booking at other venues.) Previously held at the Omar Ibn al Khattab Foundation (April 2007); Santa Monica United Methodist Church (Sept 2007); Fuller Theological Seminiary (February and May 2008).
· “Searching for Peace: The Prophetic Traditions and Social Justice in Islam and Christianity” held at Centenary Methodist Church in Los Angeles in July 2007. Speakers included Sheikh Yassir Fazaga and Rev. Frank Alton.
· “Elections ’08: Religion and Patriotism” held at Omar Farouk Masjid in Orange County in November 2007. Speakers included Dr. John Cobb, Rev. Jerry Stinson, Hussam Ayloush, and Dr. Amir Hussein.
· “Standing Together”, a new project of The CMCG in 2008, will pair neighboring mosques and churches who are interested in building long-term relationships and providing protection and support for one another in the event of hate crimes.
Support CMCG
Tax-deductible donations may be sent to:
The Christian-Muslim Consultative Group
c/o South Coast Interfaith Council
759 Linden Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90813
Make checks payable to the South Coast Interfaith Council with "CMCG" in the memo line.
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