The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) has launched a platform for graduates and experts in Christian–Muslim relations. The platform, which is the first of its kind in the region, seeks to bring together different persons to share their knowledge, experiences on emerging issues in the field of Christian - Muslim relations particularly in Africa. PROCMURA has over the years diligently trained a number of theologians from different churches across Africa to deepen their knowledge and understanding in Christian - Muslim relations which has been and is the focal area of PROCMURA’s work over the past sixty years of its existence.

_{Team Leader - Finance and Administration, Ms. joy Wandabwa, giving the rationale behind the launch of the ICMR Graduates and Experts Platform which is the first of its kind in the region.} 

The Platform will create space and bring together all Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations graduates and experts from across the continent and beyond in a concerted effort of making sure that they are not only interconnected but also have a coordinated approach in addressing contemporary issues in Christian-Muslim relations in Africa upon completion of their studies.

The General Adviser Rev. Dr Komi Adrake, in his official address at the launch which was held on Tuesday the 23rd day of March 2021, emphasised on the need and importance of the platform. There was an urgent need to create a network of resource persons to concretely address Christian-Muslim Relation issues systematically and at the same time provide a more coordinated approach through sharing of experiences and challenges from different contexts, particularly from the PROCMURA constituencies across Africa.

_{The General Adviser Rev. Dr Komi Adrake making his official address at the launch of the ICMR Graduates and Experts platform}

Rev. Dr. Johnson Mbillah, the former General Adviser and currently one of the PROCMURA consultants was the Guest speaker at the meeting. He is an expert in the field of Christian- Muslim relations and has a wealth of knowledge and experience working in the continent for over a number of years. He presented the current scenario of Christian-Muslim relations in the continent stating that ‘Christian - Muslim relations is of prime importance and will continue until Jesus Christ returns’. It is a complex issue that requires concerted efforts.

_{Rev. Dr. Johnson Mbillah, the former General Adviser and currently one of the PROCMURA consultants giving his keynote address during the launch of the ICMR platform from Ghana.} 

He applauded the PROCMURA team for deeming it important to establish the platform in Africa, stating that the platform will provide opportunities for the Graduates and Experts to explore the publication of thematic issues in Christian-Muslim relations in different contexts based on experiences in the field, documentation of relevant material such as dissertations and the reactivation of the PROCMURA Occasional Paper among others.

The overall goal and objective of the platform, is to ultimately provide resource material to the churches in Africa on emerging issues and trends in Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa to the churches, learning institutions, ecumenical and faith-based organizations among others.

The launch took a hybrid approach with physical audience hosted at the PROCMURA’s Meeting and Conference Centre in Nairobi and virtual audience joining in from PROCMURA constituencies around Africa and beyond. This is in adherence to the existing Covid-19 safety measures put in place by various governments through their Ministry of Health.

_{Physical audience at the PROCMURA Meeting and Conference Centre follow Rev. Dr. Johnson Mbillah's address from Ghana.} 

The event was well attended by participants from different PROCMURA constituencies in Africa which included: Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria, Togo ,Liberia, and South Sudan, who all had an opportunity to give their country reflections under the theme: ‘CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM RELATIONS IN AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AS EXISTENTIAL REALITIES OF THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE’.

_{Rev. Ssekasiko Wilberforce from Uganda giving his country reflection on the theme of the launch of the ICMR platform.} 

_{Ven. Joyce Kabuba from Kenya delivering her country reflection on the theme: ‘CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM RELATIONS IN AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AS EXISTENTIAL REALITIES OF THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE’.}

_{Rev. Hillow Birik of Somaliland gives his country reflection on the theme of the event.} 

The hallmark of the event was unveiling of the ICMR Experts’ platform, appointment of Rev. Dr. Johnson Mbillah as Patron of the platform and issuance of a ‘membership emblem’ to all ICMR Graduates and Experts.

_{The appointment of Rev. Dr. Johnson Mbillah as the Patron of the launched ICMR Graduates and Experts platform is screened for both the physical and virtual audiences.} 

The General Adviser, Rev. Dr. Komi Adrake and the Team Leader - Finance and Administration, Ms. Joy Wandabwa issued the membership emblems to the ICMR Graduates and Experts physically present at the PROCMURA Meeting and Conference Centre in Nairobi. 

_{PROCMURA's General Adviser Rev. Komi Adrake giving the ICMR Graduates and Experts membership emblem to Rev. Edward Frank Juta of Malawi.}

_{The Team Leader - Finance and Administration, Ms. joy Wandabwa, giving the ICMR Graduates and Experts membership emblem to Ven. Scholar Wagwa of Kenya.} 

Under the leadership and coordination of the Central Office team, an editorial board will be established in the coming weeks to receive relevant material and information for publications.

There are dozens of trained resource persons in Christian-Muslim Relations across the continent and beyond who are set to tap into this platform and together provide a concerted approach in addressing specific issues of Christian-Muslim relations.