Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye are right now reaching diverse audiences and attracting wide attention across Australia. 

Their current visit, by far the longest they have taken in distance and time,  involves a full programme between 24 October and 14 November taking them to four state capitals and Canberra as guests of Initiatives of Change.  See their itinerary below.

LATEST: Reports in The Canberra Times (Monday 10 November) and Brisbane Courier Mail. (Sunday 9 November)

The Imam and the Pastor were featured on the 7pm ABC Melbourne TV news, Saturday 1 Nov.  They also appeared on ABC Radio's The Conversation Hour on Friday 31st October, and available as a downloadable podcast.

Listen to Imam Ashafa and Pastor Wuye interviewed on ABC Radio National.

Read article in Melbourne's daily newspaper The Age

Pastor James Movel Wuye (left) and Imam Muhammed Nurayn Ashafa from Nigeria (Photo: Joanna Margueritte)

At a time when many in the world are wondering whether friendly relations are possible between those of Muslim and Christian background, Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye are living proof that they are.

In recent years, Nigeria has been rocked by ethnic and religious conflicts, with tens of thousands killed and whole communities devastated. In the 1990s, the two men led opposing, armed militias, dedicated to defending their respective communities. In pitched battles, Pastor James lost his hand and Imam Ashafa's spiritual mentor and two close relatives were killed. 

Now the two men are co-directors of the Muslim-Christian Interfaith Mediation Centre in their city of Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, leading task-forces to resolve conflicts across the country.  The story of how they made this remarkable transition is told in the award-winning documentary The Imam and the Pastor (available on DVD).

They have wowed audiences at the United Nations in New York, across North America and Europe. Now they are coming to Australia for the first time to share their experiences through a series of interactive meetings.

For more information email IofC Australia

Watch the first ten minutes of the film below.

There will be a screening of the film ahead of the visit on Thursday 9 October, 7.30pm for 7.45pm start at "Armagh", 226 Kooyong Road, Toorak, VIC 3142.  Download the flyer here.

Itinerary

Perth  24-28 October
25 October 7.30pm   Social Sciences Lecture Theatre, University of Western Australia. (Contact Lindsay Cartwright) Download the flyer here.

Melbourne 28 October to 3 November
30 October 6.30pm dinner followed by 7.30pm discussion, Maya Healing Centre, 11 Rossmoyne St, Thornbury. (Contact Chris James) Download the flyer here.
31 October 6pm  Melbourne University, Royal Parade, Theatre A, Old Arts Building. (Contact Mike Lowe) Download the flyer here.
1 November 1.30pm   University of Victoria, Footscray Park Campus, Building L114
(Contact Mosese Waqa) Download the flyer here.
2 November 2.30pm   C3 Centre, 171 Rooks Road, Vermont.
(Contact Pari Sanyu) Download the flyer here.

Brisbane  3-8 November
4 November 7.30pm  Empire Church Theatre, Toowoomba (Contact Paul Jensen) Download the flyer here.
4 November 12.00 noon  Round Table at ACPACS (Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Queensland. (Contact Brian Lightowler)
6 November 7.15pm Multi-faith centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University. (Contact Multifaith Centre) Download the flyer here.
8 November 9.00am   Riverglenn Conference Centre, 70 Kate Street, Indooroopilly 4068 - Morning Tea, including Halal (Contact Brian Lightowler) Download the flyer here.

Canberra  8-12 November
10 November  7.30pm  Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (corner of Kings Avenue and Blackall Street, Barton.) Contact Andrew Lancaster. Download the flyer here.

Sydney 12-14 November
12 November 5.30pm to 7.15pm, Parliament of New South Wales Theatrette, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney. Download the flyer here.
13 November 7pm   Bowman Hall, Blacktown City Council, Campbell St, Blacktown. Free entry by ticket only. Call (02) 9839 6000 for tickets. Download the flyer here.