Building Bridges Through Shared Spirituality: A Practical Theology of Fasting and Prayer Among Christians and Muslims in Mombasa

Christians and Muslims who live at the coastal region of Kenya frequently engage in inter-religious conflict. Following Gerben Heitink, action domains of religion and society where practical theology is seen as a theology [medium] of action. This research aims at establishing what Christian pastors and Muslim imams could potentially do to build bridges around the shared spirituality of prayer and fasting. Questionnaires and interview guides for focused group discussions were used to collect data which from a sample size of 60 respondents who were selected randomly and purposively. The data were analyzed and the results discussed. The research established that there is a very strong positive relationship between shared prayer and fasting practices and building bridges among Christians and Muslims living near the coastal region of Kenya. The study concludes that spiritual practices of praying and fasting together are effective in building bridges among Christians and Muslims on Mombasa Island.