Members of the Anglican Communion Inter Faith Commission gathered at the Cathedral Parish Centre in Kuching, in Sarawak, Malaysia between 13-17 October.
Their week-long meeting explored how Anglicans can engage in inter faith dialogues and build positive partnerships in their different contexts.
A major focus was discussing changes in the world since the publication of 'Generous Love', a key Anglican document on Inter Faith, which was published by the 'Network for Inter Faith Concerns' in 2008.
The group also discussed the upcoming Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) in Belfast in 2026. Several Anglican Communion Commissions and Networks will present updates at this meeting. The Commission prepared a joint statement and resolution that they intend to submit to ACC-19.
The meeting was hosted by the Chair of the Anglican Inter Faith Commission, the Rt Revd Datuk Danald Jute, Diocesan Bishop of Kuching (covering the State of Sarawak and Brunei) in the Church of the Province of South East Asia and President of the Council of Churches of Malaysia. The Commission’s Secretary, Canon Dr Andrew Smith, also attended, as well as the members who collectively represented twelve Anglican provinces in six continents around the Anglican Communion.
The Commission members had not met in person since before the COVID-19 pandemic and now has many new members. The Commission members and consultant members rotated the responsibility to preside as session chairs during the week, to lead bible studies, morning and evening prayers and to preach at the Eucharist. These included contributions from clergy, laypeople, youth, men and women.
Bible study sessions spanned 1 Kings, Isaiah, John and Acts and sparked discussions of the ways scripture can speak and offer insight into inter faith engagement in different contexts.
The group heard an address from the Most Revd Dr Mouneer Anis, Archbishop Emeritus of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East and former chair of the Anglican Inter Faith Commission.
Fostering a deeper understanding of the particular inter faith experiences of Anglicans in Sarawak, Malaysia was an important feature during the week.
Members of the Anglican Inter Faith Commission with representatives of the State of Sarawak, leaders of other faiths, and local senior clergy at the opening dinner in Kuching. The event, hosted by the Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and his wife, celebrated the spirit of inter faith friendship and cultural diversity through traditional Sarawakian dance and music.
The meeting began on the evening of Monday, 13 October, with an opening dinner hosted by the Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the Minister-in-Charge of the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) in Sarawak. Commission members heard about the generous support for all faiths in Sarawak by the State Government through respect, sharing in festivals and traditions, and financial support for buildings. Leaders of different faiths in Sarawak attended and the evening, which also featured indigenous cultural dancing, activities and music.
During the officiating speech at the dinner, the Deputy Premier remarked, ‘What makes Sarawak unique is not merely the presence of diversity, but the practice of respect and genuine co-existence. We live together not only peacefully, but as neighbours, friends and colleagues.’ [Borneo Post].
On Tuesday, 14 October, the group enjoyed a visit to His Excellency, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar, the Governor of Sarawak, and to his wife, Her Most Gracious Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah binti Mohd Sanusi. The group spent time with the Governor, enjoyed local delicacies and heard about his commitment to enabling all the faiths in Sarawak to worship freely and to be assisted by the state in building and renovating further places of worship.
A visit to the Sarawak Cultural Village provided another opportunity to learn about indigenous cultures. The group were welcomed by Jane Lian Labang, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Cultural Village. A visit to Sikh Gurdwara in Kuching was also facilitated, which afforded an insightful introduction to the faith, life and worship of Sikhs in Sarawak.
Speaking about the Inter faith Commission meeting, Bishop Danald Jute, remarked that ‘Without inter faith cooperation, it would be difficult to build friendships and trust between people of different backgrounds. This leads to a fragmented society and a lack of social cohesion and an escalation of conflicts. Inter faith work helps communities to work together on common challenges like poverty, human rights, and climate change. As the theologian Hans Küng wrote: "There will be no peace among the nations without peace among the religions. There will be no peace among the religions without dialogue among the religions.'
Canon Dr Andrew Smith is the Director of Inter Faith Relations for the Bishop of Birmingham in the Church of England and serves as the Secretary to the Anglican Inter Faith Commission. Regarding the in-person meeting of the Inter Faith Commission, he shared: 'It is a privilege to gather together in Kuching and discuss the diverse inter faith contexts across the Anglican communion. Our conversations have been rich and varied and will equip us for the future work of the Commission.'
About the Anglican Inter Faith Commission
The Commission’s remit is to support Anglican churches across the world in their relationship with people of different faiths and beliefs. This includes places where different faiths live in harmony and also those where Christians and those of other faiths face persecution. The Commission’s membership reflects the diverse geography of the Anglican Communion as well as different theological perspectives in relation to those of different faiths.
Find out more about the Anglican Communion Inter faith Commission
See a collection of recent articles from Anglicans involved in inter faith relations.
Learn about the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in 2026 (ACC-19).