An attempt to hold a Christian meeting discussing the Bible and the Koran has been disrupted by leaders of the Islamic community and a Muslim student group.

The leader of the Omar Mosque in Wollongong, Imam Abid Alrahman and members of the Muslim Association of Wollongong University (MAWU) tried to talk over and intimidate Christian speaker and Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES) staff worker, Sam Green.

Mr Green, who has produced the resource "Engaging with Islam', was giving the talk on "The Bible and the Koran' at Wollongong University during lunchtime on Tuesday as part of the Evangelical Christian Union's (ECU) mission week.

That evening, a Muslim-Christian dialogue co-hosted by the ECU and MAWU featuring talks and replies from Mr Green and founder of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, Keysar Trad was held under much calmer circumstances with intelligent questions being asked by interested audience members on both sides of the debate.

However, at the ECU organised event earlier in the day, Mr Green was verbally bullied by MAWU members as well as non-student Muslim audience members who tried to take over the allotted question time through interruption and raised voices.

Following Mr Green's presentation Muslim audience members insisted that Imam Alrahman be given the opportunity to respond at length to Mr Green.

The MC Rob Copland insisted that the appropriate way to respond was through asking questions.

"The Muslims present wanted to give their own talk and reply after I had finished," Mr Green says.

"At the beginning we made it clear that we would allow brief comments and questions as part of an open question time.

Mr Green says some of the Muslims persisted in insisting that Imam Alrahman be given the opportunity to speak from the front so he could respond to the presentation.

"The Imam had a large pile of notes he wanted to go through from the platform," Mr Green says.

Mr Green says some of the Muslims present became visibly angry.

"They were shouting and were calling in extra people. It was quite intimidating," he says.

"I had to tell one man who was yelling over me that quite frankly he was rude. He didn't like that but he wouldn't let me talk or answer the questions."

Vice president of MAWU, Jawad Alrifai who was present at the event believes the Muslims who disrupted the questions time were merely fulfilling their obligation to defend Islam.

"As Muslims we have to defend the Koran and say what we know because if someone says something about the Koran, people will take it as truth," Mr Alrifai says.

"Sam Green said things not actually in or that didn't capture the character of the Koran but he said there was no time for comments, only questions."

ECU student member, David Mitchell observed people asking compound questions to Mr Green then interrupting him mid-answer with more questions.

"Sam would get part way through answering a question then they would raise more issues without really seeking an answer."

Several audience members from the ECU group were brought to tears from the intimidation and verbal bullying taking place in the lecture theatre.

"One girl said to me afterwards she was so upset by what happened she wanted to cry the whole time," Mr Mitchell says.

University chaplain and AFES National Director, Richard Chin says despite the negative experience, it gave the opportunity for the Christians present to be bold in their faith.

"The positive side is that it made us evermore dependant on God and galvanised us in the name of Christ," he says.

"This possibility of persecution put us outside our comfort zone in a helpful way."

Muslim-Christian dialogue

Mr Chin was pleased with the conduct of all present at the Muslim-Christian dialogue on Tuesday evening.

"The evening exemplifies the freedom of speech and freedom of religion that we enjoy in this wonderful country," Mr Chin told the 500 people in attendance at the Hope lecture theatre.

"Even if you and I disagree with and disapprove of what has been said by either speaker tonight, I hope we will all always defend our right to say it lovingly on this campus and throughout this country."

Mr Green says the dialogue was a good opportunity to allow intelligent and balanced discussion between Muslims and Christians.

"I think the dialogue last night diffused concerns anyone may have had after our lunch time meeting," he says.

Mr Trad says he appreciates the effort people went to by asking stimulating questions.

"I'm always happy to engage in any dialogue because it can only help to promote a better understanding of our faiths," he says.

"The turn out yesterday was brilliant and shows that our society is thirsting for healthy theological discussion."

Mr Chin hopes the event will set a new precedent for discussion about religion both campus- and nation-wide.

"Religion is no longer a private business " it's something for the public forum to be discussed openly and lovingly."