Research Focus

Care for the poor and care for the earth have been central concerns to the Christian and Muslim traditions. In recent decades, each tradition has been developing eco-theologies from their respective textual sources and theological heritage, and both have started different faith-driven ecological activities, but dialogue between them remains scarce. This LSRI research initiative seeks to bring these two traditions in dialogue.
 

Publications

The LSRI published An Introduction to Qur’anic Ecology and Resonances with Laudato Si’, with the support of the Randeree Charitable Trust, and a special issue of Religion and Development on ‘Christian-Muslim Dialogue on Development, with the support of the Oxford-Berlin Partnership. In Spring 2026, it will publish an open access resource book On the Care and Balance of Our Common Home: Christian-Muslim Dialogues, with the support of the Berkley Centre at the University of Georgetown (view Table of Contents here). In each chapter, scholars from both faiths engage together to provide the theological underpinnings of their traditions’ major analytical frames for addressing the current ecological crisis as well as potential lines of practical action. On the Care and Balance of Our Common Home aims to be a key educational resource for inter-faith education on ecology. A pre-print publication of selected chapters is available now.

Looking Ahead

With support from the MB Reckitt Trust, the LSRI is running a formation course on Christian-Muslim Dialogues on Ecology, in partnership with the Al-Mahdi Institute in Birmingham and the Cambridge Muslim College. The formation course aims to equip Christian and Muslim community leaders with the intellectual and theological resources to respond together to today’s ecological crisis. Register here for the 12-13 February 2026 course in Birmingham. 

This initiative is conducted in collaboration with the  Religious Communities and Sustainable Development Programme of the Humboldt University zu Berlin.