Oxford Mail Tuesday 2 September 2008

Call to Prayer

Joint response from Open Doors and St Aldates:

"Open Doors and St Aldates very much regret that offence has been taken by
an organisation called MECO at an event designed to encourage church-going
Christians to engage positively with Muslims. Hundreds of Christians
responded to an invitation that had been sent to churches and came to a series of meetings held in a church aimed at "reducing fear of Islam, increasing
love for Muslims." Thus we would emphasise that it was not a meeting
targeted at Muslims. Before the event we emphasised that we were not
denigrating Islam or criticising Muslim beliefs. At the same time we do
believe that having discovered God's love in Jesus and made a choice to
become Christians ourselves, everyone has the right to explore religious
faiths and make decisions based on their exploration. For us, following a
God of love may mean sharing that love with people, although this was not
the aim of these meetings."

The Event

'Reducing the fear of Islam, increasing love for Muslims'

The aim of this Open Doors event was to help Christians to gain a greater understanding of what God is doing in the Muslim World and to encourage Christians to love and pray for their Muslim neighbours.

The day began at sunrise with a prayer meeting which focused on God's love for Muslims. This was followed in the afternoon by three seminars covering the following topics:

1. How is God working among Muslims today: A Global Overview
2. Building bridges of friendship with Muslim people
3. What happens when Muslims turn to Christ?

During the evening service Eddie Lyle, CEO of Open Doors, spoke powerfully to address the fear of Islam and of Muslims that prevents many Christians from building relationships with their Muslim neighbours. Instead he advocated a dynamic new approach to Muslims characterised by the acronym, I.S.L.A.M., I sincerely love all Muslims.

The day then concluded with a prayer vigil and celebration focusing on prayer for Muslim communities ranging from the Fulani tribes in West Africa to Muslim-background believers in the UK.

"It was encouraging to see Christian organisations collaborating so positively with each other and the local church. It has helped me to move away from thinking in stereotypes and given me a more nuanced understanding of Islam; I have come away with a greater determination to pray and care practically for both practising Muslims and Muslim converts to Christianity."

- Lisa, Eynsham

Open Doors would like to extend particular thanks to Charlie Cleverly and Gordon Hickson at St Aldates for their valuable input and for helping to make this event a reality.

If you would like information to help you to pray for the Muslim World during Ramadan, you can order 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World for just £2.00 from the Open Doors UK and Ireland office: 01993 885 400 or info@opendoorsuk.org

To find out more about Open Doors' ministry among Muslims, go to www.opendoorsuk.org/secretbelievers/