Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., June 05, 2008 Sivan 2, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:56 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Saudi King Abdullah (R) welcomes former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani at Al-Saffa Palace before the opening ceremony of the International Islamic Conference on Inter-Faith Dialogue in Mecca on Wednesday (REUTERS) Last update - 17:42 04/06/2008 Saudi meet aims to launch interfaith dialogue of monotheistic religions By The Associated Press Tags: Iran, Saudi Arabi Saudi King Abdullah said Islam must do away with the dangers of extremism to present the religion's good message to the world as he opened a conference of Muslim figures Wednesday, aimed at launching an interfaith dialogue with Christianity and Islam. The three-day gathering in the holy city of Mecca seeks a unified Muslim voice ahead of the interfaith dialogue. In particular, Saudi Arabia hopes to promote reconciliation between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Abdullah walked into the conference hall Wednesday with powerful Iranian politician Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who later sat on the king's left on the stage, sending a message that the Sunni kingdom does not have a problem with moderate Shiites like him. Advertisement Saudi Arabia and mainly Shiite Iran are seen as being top rivals for influence in the Middle East, standing on opposite sides of political divides in Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories. Moreover, Saudi Arabia's official Wahhabi interpretation of Islam considers Shiites infidels - ahead of Wednesday's gathering a number of hardline Wahhabi clerics issued a statement harshly condemning Shiites and Iran. Abdullah announced in March that he wanted to sponsor an interfaith dialogue between the world's monotheistic religions - specifically including Jews. "You have gathered today to tell the whole world that ... we are a voice of justice and values and humanity, that we are a voice of coexistence and a just and rational dialogue," Abdullah told the 500 Muslim delegates from about 50 Muslim nations in his opening speech. He said the Islamic world faces difficult challenges from the extremism of some Muslims, whose aggressions target the magnanimity, fairness and lofty aims of Islam. "That's why [the conference] invitation was extended - to face the challenges of isolation, ignorance and narrow horizons, so that the world can absorb the good message of Islam," he said. Rafsanjani praised Abdullah, saying, "Our brothers in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia ... have presented a great message to all humanity in the world." "Before we speak with other religions, we must speak among ourselves and reach an understanding on a particular Islamic path," he said, calling for greater understanding between Sunnis and Shiites. "We should support each other ... not weaken each other or sully each other's reputation," he said. "As a Muslim and a Shiite and an expert in Islamic issues ... I tell you that there are many things in common [between us] and there's no need to look at differences." But Rafsanjani - a former Iranian president who now heads two of its most powerful clerical governing bodies - also injected politics into a gathering that Saudi Arabia has said is intended to focus purely on religion and interfaith dialogue. Rafsanjani said the Islamic world should resist the United States and not let it gain control of the natural resources of Muslim countries - a pointed comment in oil giant Saudi Arabia, a top ally of Washington. "Why should this tremendous group [Muslims] be weak before the International Arrogance?" Rafsanjani said, using a common term among Iranian leaders for the United States. "We do not want to use force or to be unjust but we don't want to hand over our rights to others." "The U.S. is greedy ... and [wants] to control our countries and to pressure us and plunder our wealth and resources," he said. Participants say they hope the gathering will culminate in an agreement on a global Islamic charter on dialogue with Christians and Jews. They expect Saudi Arabia will launch its formal call for an interfaith dialogue at the conference's close or soon after. Abdullah first announced his intention to sponsor an interfaith dialogue in March - the first such initiative from a a nation with no diplomatic ties to Israel and a ban on non-Muslim religious services and symbols. His message, which has been welcomed by Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders, is significant. The Saudi monarch is the custodian of Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina, a position that lends his words special importance and influence. Abdullah said Saudi Arabia's top clerics have given him the green light - crucial backing in a society that expects decisions taken by its rulers to adhere to Islam's tenets. It remains unclear who will participate in the second phase of the initiative, in particular whether Israeli religious leaders will be invited. The kingdom and all other Arab nations except Egypt and Jordan do not have diplomatic relations with Israel and generally shun unofficial contacts Bookmark to del.icio.us   A staunch ally Obama to AIPAC: I'll do everything to prevent Iran from obtaining nukes. Pro-Israel Nazis German group condemns anti-Semitism, says Holocaust 'unjustifiable.'   1.   interfaith conference 17:22  |  marbpl 04/06/08   2.   Monotheism 17:25  |  Jeff 04/06/08   3.   Arabs are not monotheistic 17:41  |  Allon 04/06/08   4.   KORAN: RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES A TEST 17:50  |  Barry S. Roffman 04/06/08   5.   if muslims can`t get along with each other,what chance do other 18:49  |  terrornator 04/06/08   6.   Interfaith dialogue 18:59  |  GSW 04/06/08   7.   Monotheism 19:22  |  Abe 04/06/08   8.   Good Move, Hoping to find commun ground to promote 20:22  |  Simon Mohammed 04/06/08   9.   First they insult then want a dialogue 20:28  |  Gee 04/06/08   10.   Real entertainment. Would they sell tickets? 21:04  |  17 04/06/08

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