12 August 2008

Open Doors launches new prayer campaign I.S.L.A.M - 'I Sincerely Love All Muslims'

"Christians must make an essential distinction between Islam as an ideology and Muslims as human beings"

International Christian charity Open Doors will launch its month-long A Call to Prayer campaign on Sunday 31st August – the day before the start of Ramadan. The campaign, which urges Christians to adopt a fresh and dynamic approach to Muslims, is characterised by the acronym I.S.L.A.M. – I Sincerely Love All Muslims.

Eddie Lyle, CEO of Open Doors UK & Ireland commented: "Christians must make an essential distinction between Islam as an ideology and Muslims as human beings. A Call to Prayer seeks to reduce the fear of Islam and increase Christians' love for Muslims, in obedience to Christ's command to love all people and in response to St Paul's declaration that: "perfect love drives out fear".

Lyle added, "Christians of all denominations need to ask honestly themselves, 'How much do I care? Do I care enough to say 'Good morning' and to pray for Muslims people and do I care enough to reach out to them with the love of Christ?' We urge as many as possible to join A Call to Prayer as we seek to love, bless and pray for Muslim people in Britain and around the world throughout the month of Ramadan."

To launch the campaign, Open Doors is staging an all day event at St Aldates Church in Oxford, comprising  an early morning prayer watch, seminars addressing some of the challenges posed by modern day Islam, and an evening prayer vigil and celebration incorporating worship and reflection.

Although the campaign has been originated by the Oxford based charity, organisers anticipate that churches throughout Britain will take part in numerous different ways. To help them, Open Doors has prepared a resources pack which includes a DVD featuring stories about Muslims who have become Christians and a powerpoint presentation with suggestions for prayer, together with the booklet '30 days of Prayer for the Muslim World'.