Chaplain’s Ghana mission of harmony Trip to explore ‘interfaith’between two religions
A Perthshire chaplain has set out on an epic trip to Ghana at the weekend.
Rev Anne Stewart, who is chaplain at HMP Castle Huntly in Longforgan, has been joined by 11 other Christians and Muslims as they travel from Scotland to the West African nation to explore faith relations.
The group left on Saturday on the 10 day mission, which will see them travel around the country and meet with leaders of both religions.
Around 77 per cent of Ghana is Christian, with Muslims making up a further 16 per cent - however, the two faith groups enjoy a better relationship than in many other countries in the region.
During the trip, the group will explore issues such as education, civil representation, prison chaplaincy and gender justice.
Before jetting off, Rev Stewart said: “This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the good interfaith relations between Christian and Muslim communities.
“Travelling together in a mixed group, and visiting a country with such wellestablished interfaith relations work is an enormous privilege and I am excited to be chosen to go.”
Those taking part alongside the Perthshire reverend include kirk ministers, community activists, an Islamic scholar and the Very Rev Dr Susan Brown, a former moderator of the Church of Scotland.
Dr Brown, who is also convener of the kirk’s World Mission Council, said: “It has been good to get to know the very different people who will be journeying together to Ghana and I fully expect to be challenged, moved and inspired by our visit and our conversations along the way.
“The key will be in what we bring back to our various contexts.
“What might we learn that will help us to understand each other better and that might enrich our lives as Christians and Muslims in Scotland? Watch this space.”
During the trip to Ghana, Rev Stewart and the group will visit Elmina Castle, which is a UNESCO world heritage site and a poignant reminder of the Atlantic slave trade as the fortress was used as the final holding place for slaves before being shipped to the Americas.
Starting in the capital Accra, they will also travel north to visit the oldest mosque in the country, which was founded in the 15th century.
Mirella Yandoli, interfaith officer at the Church of Scotland, said: “With this trip we aim to provide a transformative experience for key Muslim and Christian leaders in Scotland.
“They each bring with them specific areas of interest which will be explored in the Ghanaian context so that we can learn tangible lessons from the people and organisations we visit.
“The main objective is to learn and exchange good practice and ways of working with the aim of bringing fresh perspectives home to Scotland and inspiring our leaders to explore new ways to collaborate and work together across faiths.”