The Council looks forward to the Annual Banquets with the United Methodist Church, where for nearly a decade, we have come together to participate in meaningful interfaith dialogue.
Covenant: Declaration of Relationship
We, members of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago and the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church, believe it is imperative that people of faith commit to a spirit of peace and cooperation. Therefore, we have, with God’s help, shared an ongoing dialogue, building mutual understanding and trust. We recognize the differences and similarities between the Qur’an and the Bible, both of which bid us to respect the dignity of all people, to trust and submit to God’s will in everything, and to work for a society of justice and peace where hate and fear are overcome by love.
As Muslims and as United Methodist Christians, we share a strong emphasis on prayer, the call for the pursuit of personal holiness and social justice, and the focus on charity and the dignity of every human being. Both Islam and Christianity are expressed in many different ways in different cultures, and yet within those differences, we recognize the faithfulness of most Muslims and Christians as they seek to live lives committed to God. We believe that God calls us to affirm the dignity and wholeness of every human being, and we respect the right of all persons to worship God in the way that is most meaningful to them.
We accept each other as persons of faith; stand firm against violence and hatred in all its forms; stand with persons who are being persecuted and are suffering for their faith; and trust in the power, grace, mercy and guidance of Almighty God.
We, as brothers and sisters within the Abrahamic family, commit ourselves to a relationship grounded in our mutual love for God and dedication to the ethical core of our faiths.
We share a mutual sense of responsibility to work together and agree to:
Continue in dialogue and expand dialogue to include our local faith communities; Work together on issues of social justice; Inform one another of situations that may affect each other’s faith community; Gather annually to celebrate, reflect on our relationship, and to reaffirm our commitment to each other.
Hee-Soo Jung (Former) Bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church & Abdul Malik Mujahid (Former) Chairman of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago