Houston Summer School | CMCS Houston

Save The Date for the Next CMCSH Summer School

25-27 July 2025

Muslim&Christian Summer School

Topic for 2025: EDUCATION

The Muslim & Christian Summer School at Houston is an annual intensive program that brings the next generation of Muslim and Christian religious, social, and educational leaders together to learn about each other's faith from fellow students and from participating scholars.

The course breaks down barriers, enhances the student’s own studies, and equips them for their future careers. Students attend lectures, workshops, and tutorials led by Christian and Muslim academics exploring sacred texts, shared history, contemporary issues, and difficult questions. They also share meals and recreational times, and together visit mosques and churches. After the course, students will have the opportunity to continue to meet and work together in small groups and to report back at sessions. Submission of a full written report can lead to 3 credit hours of CMCS Houston credit.

The focus is on shared study and understanding of both the similarities and differences between Christians and Muslims of diverse traditions. Participants discuss difficult topics, disagreements, and social problems in a spirit of respect and empathy—not just towards people of other faiths but towards those from other traditions within their own faith community with whom they might have theological differences.

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Course Convenors

Dr. Motaz Al-Thaher

Motaz coordinates the CMCS Houston online courses from his home in Amman, Jordan. He brings to the summer school his expertise in Islamic Studies (his Ph.D. is in the principles of Islamic law), his 4 years of participation in CMCS courses, his passion for justice, and his experience in setting up environmental projects.

Dr. Blake Evermon

For over two decades, Blake has dedicated himself to nurturing positive Muslim-Christian relationships and promoting meaningful interactions between these two faith groups. He holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield and brings 12 years of professional experience in Project Management and Program Evaluation

Through rigorous textual studies and scriptural reasoning, participants will embark on a shared journey of discovery, unraveling the profound wisdom embedded in the sacred scriptures.

By nurturing an atmosphere of respect and collaboration, our summer school program envisions empowering a generation of leaders and peacemakers who can contribute to a harmonious coexistence in our global society.

Our first Houston Muslim & Christian Summer School was July 26-28th 2024.

Core teaching team: Dr Blake Evermon, Dr Ida Glaser, Dr Sam Ross, Dr Motaz al-Thaher

Speakers and facilitators: Dr. David Coffey, Dr David Cook, Dr Colin Cornell, Dr Haris Dundar, Dr Jaclyn Williams, Dr Ghulam Zarquani

The course featured three visits, which set the context for studies on Scripture and 'Ibada (worship or service). On Friday lunchtime, small groups attended selected mosques for Friday noon prayers. On Sunday, groups attended selected churches morning services. On Saturday morning, we visited the Lanier Theological Library, where we will be able to look at scriptural manuscripts as well as to explore the library resources and listen to lectures.

Optional sessions included a movie night and a dinner out with a special lecture on Christian-Muslim relations during the Crusade period from Dr David Cook of Rice University.

Our base was generously provided by Fuller Texas, where we had our textual studies, lectures and practical workshops.

Scripture: Textual Studies

Scripture and revelation
Interpreting scripture
Monotheism

History: Lectures

The development of the New Testament
The origins of the Qur'an
The impact of the Crusades

Service: Practical Workshops

Caring for the environment
Chaplaincy work

Oxford Muslim & Christian Summer School Info

First Oxford Summer School

Our Summer School follows the pattern of the established Summer School at our sister Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies, Oxford, and shares its ethos:

• Learning about each other together

• Not avoiding or denying differences and difficult topics

• Addressing issues with gentleness and respect

• Thinking with academic rigour

• Seeking to understand before seeking to be understood

• Speaking positively of our own faith rather than speaking critically of the other

• So equipping us to live together well.