Adventist Christians and Muslims met on April 23 to share their perspectives on last day events. This was a joint venture between the Global Centre for Adventist-Muslim Relations (GCAMR), Newbold College – an Adventist institution of Higher Education, and the Shia Muslim community, whose main UK centre is in Maida Vale, London.

Dr Jerald Whitehouse, director of the GCAMR, was the main speaker on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Sheikh Bahmanpour, head of the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Department of Islamic Studies, at the Islamic College, Willesden, was the main Muslim speaker on behalf of the Islamic Centre of England. Other presenters included Mr Oscar Osindo, also of the GCAMR and Sheikh Ali Al Hakim, researcher for the Islamic Centre of England.

Dr Whitehouse started his presentation by talking about the entry of sin into the world, outlining how man lost the privilege of close association with God, and yet at that time God laid his plan for the restoration of both peace and justice in the future. Dr Whitehouse illustrated how God planned to restore His relationship with man through his promise to Abraham through the descendants of both Ishmael and Isaac.

Osindo followed with a an explanation about the second coming of Jesus, showing that both Adventists and Muslims look forward to His coming and see it as the time when peace and justice will be restored. He noted that although the world has tried to bring about peace in so many ways, they have not succeeded. “When Jesus left this earth he promised to leave peace with those who were left behind,” Osindo said. “Not the kind that the world offers, but God’s peace, the kind of peace which brings about true justice.”

Sheikh Bahmanpour began his seminar by noting the similar perspectives that Seventh-day Adventists and Muslims have on end-time events, and how both share in common the hope of the restoration of peace and justice at the second coming of Jesus. Sheikh Bahmanpour went on to say that one cannot think of peace without justice. “Those whose hearts are not with God will never find internal peace…true peace should be inside the heart.”

Sheikh Ali Al Hakim spoke on how justice can be achieved while on earth through the study and application of Shariah Law.

“In a world in which there is often confrontation rather than peace between communities of faith, it is refreshing to see people working together to build bridges of understanding,” commented Velda Cox, who worked with the Islamic Centre of England to bring about the event.

“I hope that many more similar events will take place between Adventist Christians and Muslims in the future” says Dr Whitehouse. “Such events need to stand out as a voice against the too prevalent militant rhetoric that only increases tension and misunderstanding between faith traditions.” [Editor: Velda Cox for ANR/APD]