Bethlehem University - The Holy Land
September 5-9, 2007

Christians and Muslims live side by side in almost every country in the Middle East and in Europe. While these two Monotheistic religions have had a long experience of co-existence, during recent decades new challenges have emerged raising many questions about the nature of this co-existence, such as the immigration of Muslims to Europe and the decreasing numbers of Christians in the Middle East. It is important, not only to explore each other's religious traditions, but to share the living experience of Christians and Muslims in different contexts and countries, in the Middle East as well as in the West. This conference was organized to address and analyze these new challenges as well as create and develop a model for future interaction.

This conference brings together theologians, academics, religious leaders and other practitioners to not only explore the religious traditions concerning "The Other" but to also examine the concrete implications of these theological principals in the context of the Middle East as well as in the context of the West.

Among the topics of the conference are:

1. Christian Minorities in the Middle East
2. Muslim Minorities in the Western Context
3. The Experience of Co-Existence in parts of Europe, the Middle East and the United States
4. Looking Towards the Future: The role of personal experiences and education in promoting values of co-existence and cooperation

Organizing Committee

1. Fr Jamal Khader, Cardinal Hume and Cardinal de Furstenberg Endowed Chair of Religious Studies
2. Fr Peter DuBrul, Department of Religious Studies
3. Br Peter Iorlano, Coordinator of Institutional Values
4. Dr Sami Basha, Faculty of Education