Working to improve mutual understanding between the Middle East and the West
Our innovative approach originates from our intention of publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed books that will have a wider cultural impact. For this purpose, our monographs are designed to be affordable, and our edited volumes become open access two years following publication.
The 2024 GINGKO Interfaith Fellowship Retreat was held in Egypt. The first part of the Retreat, held in Cairo, consisted of visits to religious sites including the Coptic churches of Sts Sergius and Bacchus and the Hanging Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Al-Azhar Mosque. The second part of the Retreat, held at the Coptic monastery of Anafora, consisted of a series of workshops and interactive sessions.
Part 1: The day in Cairo
The opening day of the Retreat was spent in Cairo. The day began at the All Saints Garden Conference Center (ASGCC) with a brief introduction to the Retreat, during which the participants introduced themselves to one another. Thereafter, the group travelled by coach to Old Cairo to visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue, followed by two nearby churches, Sts Sergius and Bacchus and the Hanging Church.
After a break for lunch, participants were able to visit Al Azhar Mosque. Here they had a chance to witness – and, for the Muslims, participate in – Asr prayers. Among the Fellows were several Al Azhar graduates and faculty, who introduced the group to Al Azhar and its history.
Part 2: Anafora
After the day in Cairo, participants travelled by coach to Anafora – a Coptic monastery and retreat centre located on the desert road between Cairo and Alexandria.
The participants first attended a workshop entitled Manifestations of Faith – Understanding Religious Other(s) Through Reflections on their Artistic Expressions. This workshop aimed to further interfaith dialogue by exploring in a respectful way events, actions, or objects of faith the Fellows had identified during the site visits of the previous day. The workshop was hosted by GINGKO’s CEO Dr Barbara Schwepcke and Julie Siddiqi MBE, an interfaith activist who earlier in the year moderated two online sessions with the GINGKO Fellows. After a break, the afternoon resumed with a contemplation exercise called ‘The Labyrinth’ led by Dr Schwepcke.
The activities during the following two days consisted of workshops organised by the winners of the 2024 Collaboration Prize. The overarching theme for the workshops (and the Retreat in general) was ‘Interfaith Dialogue in Times of Crisis’.
Our work relies on the generous support of our donors. Any contribution, no matter how small, helps us achieve our aims.
