The first ever dialogue between Penang mufti Wan Salim Mohd Noor and Catholic bishop Sebastian Francis in George Town today acknowledged that there is a “gulf” in understanding on several issues between the two different faiths.

A participant in the 90-minute dialogue said the Muslim counterpart was willing to “face up and acknowledge this gulf in understanding”.

“There was discussion about such issues and we felt we can at least move forward from here,” said the participant, who has been involved in such dialogues between Muslim and Christian leaders for about two years.