The British Library in London has launched a new online resource, Discovering Sacred Texts, featuring books and manuscripts from the Library’s collection as well as introductory videos and teaching resources.

Here are the videos on Christianity and Islam:

Explore the diverse ways in which five Christian denominations – Coptic Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Church of England, Methodist, and Pentecostal – worship in Britain today, and the texts that inspire them.

The film on Islam explores four of the five pillars of Islam – the Muslim profession of faith (shahada), prayer (salat), charity (zakat), and fasting during Ramadan (sawm) – and how Muslims in Britain follow them today.

The Archbishop of Canterbury invited the Christian Muslim Forum to Lambeth Palace to talk about Public Faith and the Challenge of the Spiritual Life. Professor Mona Siddiqui, Scholar-Consultant to CMF, talked with Archbishop Justin about the importance of prayer in their personal lives and in their respective faiths.

The Archbishop and Professor Siddiqui spoke about the value of Christians and Muslims meeting together.

‘Wonderful to discuss prayer with @monasiddiqui7 and @ChrisMusForum. As Professor Siddiqui puts it: “Prayer is really about what makes us human.”

My main take-away is the hunger for encounter with God that was common to everyone in the room.’

Archbishop Justin

The conversation widened to look at the role of faith in public life, with contributions from an invited audience.

‘I think we need more of this kind of exchange … when we are affected by something, we take that back to our families, our places of work, and that’s how change happens in society.’

Professor Siddiqui

Dr Joshua Ralston, University of Edinburgh, offered some thoughts towards the end of the conversation.

Watch the video here and read through the programme for the day here.

Wishing a happy, healthy, prosperous and fulfilling Islamic new year to all Muslims here in the UK and around the world. 

A message from Imam Qari Asim MBE, Leeds Makkah Mosque & CMF Trustee:

We ask Allah Almighty for goodness, wellbeing and prosperity in the New Year 1441 AH #Hijra.

May the 1441AH be a year full of happiness, kindness and healing, in particular for those suffering abuse and injustices in the world. The people of #Kashmir are in our thoughts and prayers. 

The Ashura- the tragic events of Karbala fill our hearts with sorrow but also inspire us to stand up with those who are tackling injustices in the world. Let us remember Imam Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him), the highest of martyrs, the lord of youth of paradise who gave his life and the lives of his family and companions to preserve the fundamental principles of Islam. Let us send our greetings and regards to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and his family and companions (may Allah be pleased with all of them).

We are leaving behind another year of our life. It is an opportunity to review our mistakes, to repent to our sins, to make new and correct decisions, to open immaculate pages of our lives.

The new year does not signify a simple change in the calendar but it also signifies opportunities for bringing about positive changes to make your life and eventually the world around you much better.

Imam Qari Asim, MBE