Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World

Organisations and Initiatives

Organisations and initiatives concerning the Muslim World and the West

A Common Word

An initiative based on an Open Letter signed by 138 Muslim scholars from around the world in response to the lecture by Pope Benedict XVI in Regensburg on September 13th 2006. See especially the original "open letter" of the group.

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The original Open Letter

The Alliance of Civilizations Project

A project set up by the United Nations, at the initiative of the Prime Ministers of Spain and Turkey, to promote trust and understanding especially between Muslim and Western societies. See especially the report of the Alliance of Civilizations' High Level Group.

The Alliance of Civilizations Project

Alliance of Civilizations' High Level Group

The World Economic Forum Group of 100

A group established by the World Economic Forum, which meets each year in January in Switzerland, to encourage dialogue between different segments of society in the West and the Muslim World. See especially the World Economic Forum’s "Annual Report on the State of Dialogue.

The World Economic Forum Group of 100

Annual Report on the State of Dialogue

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s ‘Building Bridges’ seminars

An annual seminar bringing together Christian and Muslim scholars each year since 2002 to discuss a theme of common interest. See especially reflections by the Archbishop and other participants on the seventh seminar, held near Rome in 2008, on "Communicating the Word: Revelation, Translation and Interpretation in Christianity and Islam."

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s ‘Building Bridges’ seminars