The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to convene the 6th Building bridges Christian Muslim Seminar in Singapore next week. This is a unique annual series which brings together Christian and Muslim scholars of international reputation in a seminar examining major themes of current interest and importance from a religious perspective.

The conference will run from Monday to Friday (December 3rd to 7th); it is being hosted by the Department of Malay Studies, the Religion Research Cluster, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the University Scholars Programme all based at the National University of Singapore. This year's seminar follows on from similar events in London, Qatar, Sarajevo and Washington DC.

More than thirty Christian and Muslim scholars from across the world will hold detailed discussions over five days; the theme of this year's seminar is 'Humanity in Context: Christian and Muslim perspectives on being human' which will consider how the respective religions approach such matters as care and responsibility for the environment, gender and diversity issues. As previously, the Seminar will consist of the presentation of papers in public and separate private sessions for the participants.

Dr Williams will be delivering a lecture on the Thursday evening [6th December] in a session chaired by Singapore's Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Minister in Charge of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, on the theme of 'Religious Diversity and Social Unity'.

At the conclusion of the seminar, many of the scholars will visit other countries in the region to speak about Christian Muslim relations and the work of the Building Bridges Seminar.

Whilst in Singapore, Dr Williams will be paying a courtesy call on the President of Singapore, His Excellency S R Nathan. Dr Williams will be accompanied by Archbishop John Chew, Archbishop of South East Asia & Bishop of Singapore.

Dr Williams said that he hoped the conference would build on the work of previous gatherings:

"I am most grateful for the generosity of the MUIS - the Islamic religious council of Singapore - and also the Anglican Diocese of Singapore and the National University of Singapore in making this event possible."

Note for editors:

It is hoped to make the text of the Archbishop's lecture on Thursday available very soon after it is delivered.

Media matters in connection with the Archbishop's visit and the Seminar are being handled by the Revd Jonathan Jennings, who will be travelling with the Archbishop.