Abstract: The practice of Muslim Open air preaching (Mihadhara) is an important context for Muslim (and Christian use) of Sacred Text in East Africa today. In these preaching, Muslims mainly use the Bible to refute certain aspects of the Christian faith. This phenomenon has negative consequences on Christian- Muslim relations in East Africa because in most cases it is one-sided and lacks genuine respect for the “other”. These encounters between Muslims and Christians have occasionally led to violent conflicts between members of the two religions. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyze “mihadhara” showing its impact on Christian- Muslim Relations in East Africa. The paper also endeavors to offer some practical suggestions on how positive relations between the two faiths can be fostered.

Christian-Muslim co-existence in the light of Sacred texts and present contexts, with special reference to Mihadhara in Nairobi, Kenya (October 2007)

The author Joseph Wandera is an Assistant lecturer at St. Paul's United Theological College, Limuru, Kenya. His contact is: wandera@stpaulslimuru.co.ke.