Leading Christian and Islamic scholars from Charles Sturt University will discuss mercy and compassion and how these concepts are important to dialogue between Christians and Muslims.
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The free event is being held on Monday, August 19 at the Port Macquarie CSU campus from 6pm to 9pm..
Director of Community Engagement at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie Ms Kate Wood-Foye said mercy and compassion are common central values in both Islam and Christianity.
"The values underpin how each tradition thinks about God and humanity," Ms Wood-Foye said.
The evening will include presentations form Christian and Muslim Scholars including Associate Professor Peter Walker at the Charles Sturt School of Theology and Head of the Charles Sturt Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation Associate Professor Mehmet Ozalp.
After the presentations, attendees have an opportunity to discuss understandings of mercy and compassion with each other over a free light dinner.
Associate Professor Ozalp said the discussion should be thought-provoking.
"We would like to show that both Islam and Christianity has a very strong emphasis on the notion of mercy," he said.
"This focus should not only highlight that we have more in common than differences, but also project a strong message of compassion that we need in the world more than ever."
He said from the perspective of Islam, the Quran says that the closest to you in faith are the Christians.
"Muslims also lived peacefully with large Christian populations throughout history," Associate Professor Ozalp said.
"In our time, the present day issues are depicted as Islam-Christian clash of civilisations but I believes these clashes are political and religions are dragged into it."
'Mercy and Compassion' is a free event but those attending must RSVP for catering purposes to office@portmacquarie.uniting church.org.au.