For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:3
"Greenbelt, the biggest Christian festival in the United Kingdom, will feature Muslim worship for the first time this year.
The decision by organizers of the annual festival — which began more than 40 years ago as a gathering that drew about 1,500 young people — has stirred some controversy, according to organizers.
Now Greenbelt draws a much larger crowd of about 20,000 over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Aug. 25-28, and offers not only music but also theological discussion and opportunities to work on social justice issues. While it sprung from evangelical Christians, in recent years Greenbelt has expanded to include a much wider range of participants, including an occasional Muslim speaker.
But this is the first year it is has made a concerted effort to feature Islamic culture and spirituality as a significant part of the festival, which will include instruction on Sufi chants — described on the Greenbelt website as “a unique form of mystical worship.”
Attendees will get to know Muslims who may not share their faith, he continued, but still share their values, and with whom they can make “common cause.”
“The Common Good” is the theme of this year’s festival, which will give attendees opportunities to get involved with anti-poverty, LGBT, environmental, and other progressive causes.
Other events curated by Amal at Greenbelt this year will include talks on culture and Islam, a discussion on the 70th anniversary of the partition and independence of India, and Christian and Muslim reflections on Black Lives Matter."
RNS
