Muslims and Christians will meet to debate the 'war on terror' at a ground-breaking meeting aimed at building bridges between the two communities 26 November in Leeds. Taking part in 'Trust or Terror', being held at the Building Blocks Centre in Beeston, will be two leading religious leaders, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, and the Chair of the Leeds Muslim Forum.

The bridge-building meeting has been organised by the recently formed 'Interfaith Task Group' of the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds. The Rt Revd John Packer and Dr Hassan Alkatib, Chair of Leeds Muslim Forum, will each give a keynote address on the subject of trust and terror, which will then be debated in small mixed groups of Muslims and Christians.

Convenor of the Ripon and Leeds 'Interfaith Task Group', the Revd Canon Charles Dobbin, Rector of Moor Allerton, said the aim of the debate was to foster better understanding between Christians and Muslims in Leeds. "This dialogue is aimed at opening up important issues, encouraging people from both communities to listen to one another and to gain vital understanding of different perspectives. It is envisaged as the beginning of a process of dialogue between Muslims and Christians and we hope that it will help build bridges of understanding between our communities as we learn from one another".

Each of the two main speakers has been asked to offer five points for discussion and debate from their own perspective on the 'war on terror'. Organisers say they are hoping that many people, not only from both Muslim and Christian communities, but also those of other religious faiths will take part in the evening.