Christian and Muslim scholars discuss the connection between the two religions

At a seminar titled “Building Bridges,” jointly organized by the archbishop of Canterbury and Bahçeşehir University, held at the university’s Beşiktaş campus on Tuesday, Christian and Muslim scholars discussed the connection between creation and science from the perspectives of both religions.

Speaking at the seminar, Bahçeşehir University Rector Deniz Ülke Arıboğan noted that their university attaches great importance to freedom of thought and tries to promote free thinking by hosting forums such as the Alliance of Civilizations.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said the purpose of the seminar was to conduct a debate over sacred sources of both religions, adding, “We try to reinforce mutual trust and fraternity at the end of discussions.”

Williams pointed our that seminars were previously held in Qatar, Rome, Doha, Washington and Singapore, focusing on what Muslims and Christians can do by coming together and said these seminars had produced constructive results. He expressed his satisfaction about holding a seminar in İstanbul, a city with a mix between Islam and modernity.

The archbishop indicated that it is vital for Christian and Muslim scholars to come together and conduct debates. “The primary purpose of each seminar is to establish relations based on trust between ourselves. The first seminar was held after the 9/11 attacks. These seminars aim to prevent a clash of civilizations,” he said.

Williams stated that there are problems in Turkey concerning the relations between science and faith and they intend to solve these problems.

Following the opening speeches, a session titled “Doctrine of Creation and Scientific Reason” was held, chaired by Professor Alparslan Açıkgenç of Fatih University. Associate Professor Ebrahim Moosa of Duke University asserted that there are differences concerning creation between Islam and Christianity. “In the Holy Quran, you can find a comprehensive definition of universe and you can hear the sound of the Holy Quran in cosmology. God continues to create at all times,” he said.