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Centre of Christian-Muslim Understanding & Partnership (CCMUP)
History
The Episcopal-Anglican Diocese of Egypt has played a pivotal role in advancing interfaith dialogue and peace, most notably through its contribution to the landmark agreement between the Anglican Communion Worldwide and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, signed on 30 January 2002 at Lambeth Palace in London. This historic accord laid the foundation for a deep and enduring partnership. Since then, the Anglican Diocese and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif have collaborated on numerous community initiatives across Egypt and have co-hosted an annual interfaith dialogue meeting, fostering mutual understanding and respect.
In 2022, this longstanding cooperation was institutionalized with the founding of the Centre of Christian-Muslim Understanding and Partnership (CCMUP). The Centre was created to unify and strengthen these joint efforts under one dedicated body, ensuring their growth and sustainability for future generations. The vision for CCMUP was created by Archbishop-Emeritus Dr. Mouneer Anis, Archbishop-Emeritus of the Anglican Province of Alexandria. To bring this vision to life, Archbishop Dr. Samy Shehata, Archbishop of the Anglican Province of Alexandria, asked Archbishop-Emeritus Mouneer to establish the Centre and serve as its founding director. In addition, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, strongly supported the establishment of CCMUP and initiated close cooperation between Al-Azhar & CCMUP.
Academic Courses
We offer academic courses and lectures in both Christian and Islamic studies, in collaboration with local and international partners, including the Alexandria School of Theology and Al-Azhar University. These programs are designed to equip scholars and faith leaders with a profound, nuanced understanding of one another’s faith traditions, fostering deeper dialogue, respect, and mutual enrichment.
Workshops and Visits
We organize guided visits to significant Christian and Islamic sites, including Al-Azhar Mosque, the Coptic Museum, and many other historically and spiritually rich landmarks, offering participants a unique opportunity to experience Egypt’s diverse religious heritage firsthand.
Engaging Initiatives
The Centre of Christian-Muslim Understanding and Partnership (CCMUP) implements a range of grassroots initiatives aimed at fostering cooperation for the common good. Our projects focus particularly on education, interfaith dialogue, and youth engagement, empowering the next generation to become ambassadors of peace and mutual respect. We work closely with schools and local communities to promote interfaith understanding and collaboration.
One current initiative, It Is Our Planet: Let Us Save It, provides children and teenagers with educational resources on environmental stewardship. Through this program, young people are encouraged to take an active role in protecting and restoring the environment, guided by values shared across religious traditions.
Conflict Resolution & Peace-Building
Far from being a source of division, we believe that religion holds a vital key to building peace in communities affected by sectarian strife. At CCMUP, we are deeply committed to harnessing the transformative power of faith to foster reconciliation and healing.
To this end, we train and equip dedicated teams to work in areas experiencing, or at risk of, sectarian tension, both within Egypt and beyond. These teams promote dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence, helping communities move toward lasting and just peace.