THIRD ANNUAL INTERFAITH RETREAT
Greyton, Western Cape
21st–24th September 2018
To coincide with the Open Mosque’s fourth anniversary, it is hosting the THIRD ANNUAL INTERFAITH RETREAT in September 2018. Even though the Open Mosque is still a new institution, it has pioneered many unprecedented ways in championing a truly peaceful, progressive and pluralistic Islam in South Africa that is firmly based upon the tenets and teachings of the transcendent Holy Qur’an.
In conformity with its declared vision and public mission, the Open Mosque is scheduling another trailblazing gathering of Jews, Christians and Muslimscoming together in beneficial fellowship and productive co-operation for the forthcoming Heritage Day long weekend. This groundbreaking forum takes place in the stunning and tranquil setting of a beautiful farm outside Greyton (150 kilometres east of Cape Town) from Friday, 21stSeptember to Monday, 25 September 2018.
The topical theme for this year’s retreat is Reason and Revelation within Abrahamic Religions.What is the relevance of logic and the law in Judaism, Christianity and Islam? Are rituals and blind belief, or thinking and introspection the way to attain true spirituality? Do the sacred scriptures of each creed harness or hamstring the human intellect and free thinking? And should religious rules and regulations take precedence over reasoning and reflection? These are just some of the highly significant questions this (four-day, three-night)conference will openly address and candidly explore.
An equal number of Jews, Christians and Muslims will sleep, eat, pray, study, debate, meditate, sing and play together under the common umbrella of their illustrious Patriarch Abraham. Prominent theologians and visionary intellectuals will coordinate this exciting encounter between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. These include: 1. A leading Rabbi (TBC shortly), will spearhead the Jewish representation 2. Rev Roux Malan, the former minister of the Unitarian Church in Cape Town andDr Jacqueline Woodman,a Unitarian Council Member from the UKwill lead the Christian contingent 3.Dr Taj Hargey, thePresident of the Open Mosque will head the progressive Muslim delegation.
Apart from holding the weekly congregational worship of Muslims on Friday, Jews on Saturday and Christians on Sunday (each service to be attended by all participants), this inventive interfaith retreat offers a wide spectrum of insightful lectures, pertinent workshops, multiple panels, interesting discourses, uplifting meditation, illuminating seminars and one-to-one interactions that will analyse the primary conference theme as well as related subjects where everyone is encouraged to express their views in a tolerant, friendly and respectful environment.
Religious experts, theological scholars, academics, professionals as well as ordinary participants will (courteously) discuss, dissect and debate key questions of contemporary concern. Many of these current issues have sadly impacted negatively on Jewish-Christian-Muslim solidarity and genuine inter-religious dialogue. A principle objective of this amazing retreat is to accelerate mutual understanding, deepen interfaith friendships and advance greater respect amongst the three sibling Abrahamic faiths.
In addition to sporting activity (tennis, badminton, croquet, tug-o-war, yoga, Pilates, meditation, walking, etc) this innovative weekend retreat will also provide all attendees with clean comfortable single-bed accommodation, freshly-prepared kosher and halaal delectable meals and tasty nibbles (produced by a dedicated on-site chef) as well as uplifting evening entertainment and participatory live music. All this is designed to facilitate interfaith collegiality as well as cross-cultural connectivity.
The all-inclusive price of R1500 for this remarkable four-day long-weekend includes board and lodging, all snacks and beverages, as well as conference materials. This ultra low non-commercial rate represents superlative and unbeatable value for money.
THE OPEN MOSQUE INTERFAITH RETREAT BEGINS AT 11AM ON FRIDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER AND ENDS AT 2 PM (AFTER LUNCH AND A JOINT FAREWELL ECUMENICAL SERVICE) ON MONDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2018.
An optional fully guided tour of nearby Genadendal, the oldest Christian mission station in South Africa is available for all those wishing to explore this historic hamlet and its highly intriguing museum later that afternoon.
Owing to the spectacular venue’s physical constraints, this special retreat is confined to a maximum of 20 Jews, 20 Christians and 20 Muslims. If you would like to be one of the intrepid and open-minded individuals in this barrier-breaking assembly of Jews, Christians and Muslims from all over the country, then please let us know as soon as possible so that your place can be reserved.
The full programme and detailed schedule for this extraordinary interfaith retreat will be published during August.
In the meantime, we look forward to hearing from you in joining us in making religious history andpromoting real interfaith harmony on 21st September 2018!
