Inter-religious

Stemming from the long-standing relations between the Coptic Orthodox Church and Al-Azhar in Egypt, the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom continues to maintain those relationships with the leadership of the Egyptian Muslim Community.

Archbishop Angaelos, with his passion for dialogue and collaboration, is dedicated to the process of reconciliation within the United Kingdom, Egypt and the Middle East, and has held various consultations on inter-religious dialogue. He has established and nurtured relationships with a variety of religious and inter-religious groups in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Archbishop Angaelos is an appointed Scholar consultant supporting the theological and scholarly work of the Christian-Muslim Forum (CMF), which is a strategic initiative of a bilateral forum bringing together in one body the range of Christian Churches and Muslim traditions in England. His Grace is also Moderator of the Churches’ Inter-religious Network (CIRN), an ecumenical instrument of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) that brings together the inter-religious officers of all the Christian churches across the four nations of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Most recently, His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan was received at The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the United Kingdom during a historic visit and inter-religious gathering. This visit facilitated a coming together of guests from a variety of faith backgrounds who met in the Cathedral of St George to listen and respond to addresses by Bishop Angaelos and Prince Hassan on the subject of inter-religious dialogue and cooperation at an inter-religious level in the Middle East.

Annual Iftar banquets have also been held at The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the United Kingdom during the Muslim month of Ramadan. The events were attended by the ambassadors of Islamic Countries and states, heads and representatives of UK-based Islamic and inter-religious organisations, and members of the wider Islamic community.

On occasions, collaborative work has been carried out with the Baha’i community in the United Kingdom relating to matters of human rights and religious liberty.

The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom continues to work towards greater dialogue, collaboration, and reconciliation at every level.