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Archbishop of Canterbury hosts meeting of Muslim and Christian leaders
By James Solheim
2002-018
1/22/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
Archbishop of Canterbury George L. Carey hosted a two-day seminar at London's Lambeth Palace of 40 Muslim and Christian scholars from around the world on the theme, 'Building Bridges--Overcoming Obstacles in Christian-Muslim Relations.' The discussion focused on theological, historical and social issues, as well as aspects of pluralism and secularism.
Prime Minister Tony Blair opened the conference January 18 by warning against the 'perversion of religious faith' by extremists, calling for a 'globalization of knowledge and understanding' that would undermine the extremes of all religions.
Blair said that there was a tendency in all religions towards extremism but it could be stopped with greater understanding. 'It is knowledge that helps people realize what they have in common, it's knowledge and understanding that brings people together rather than sets them apart,' he said.
The Prime Minister said that he hoped the conference would go beyond 'dialogue between experts' and take root in communities where people of faith don't always understand each other. 'When warped or perverted, religious faith can be dangerous. But when true to its real values it can be immensely liberating,' Blair said.
Carey expressed a similar hope in overcoming obstacles among religions, 'trying to help our own faith communities overcome suspicion and hatred, and at times hatred and intolerance. We all recognize our responsibilities as religious leaders and scholars to help our communities live together in ways which do not suppress our own identities but open us up to the riches which the other offers.'
Carey said that he is convinced there is a 'fresh sense of urgency' to counter those who find in their religion a justification for evil and hatred. 'There are many around us who believe that the world would be better off without faith and all its apparent capacity to generate division, hatred and violence,' he said. 'We must play our part in trying to ensure that the wider world may reap the best, not the worst, of what our faiths have to offer.'
Prince Hassan of Jordan called for the creation of an interfaith peace corps, arguing that 'culture and understanding is the key. We cannot continue to have a situation where only after there is violence that we ask what is happening.'
Declaration signed in Alexandria
In a related development, a dozen Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders from the Holy Land met in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria and signed an unprecedented joint declaration committing themselves to work together for a just and lasting peace.
The seven-point First Alexandria Declaration of the Religious Leaders of the Holy Land was approved January 21 at the landmark meeting, chaired by Carey. The leaders said that they would use their moral authority in seeking an end to the violence and resumption of the peace process. The declaration calls for formation of a permanent committee of leaders from the three religions to pursue its implementation.
Noting that the Holy Land is holy to all three religions, Carey said, 'We have a shared duty therefore to do all we can to make it a land of peace and harmony.' The conference had the support of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and President Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority.
'Of course no declaration by religious leaders or anyone else can act as a magic want, a panacea for all the ills and injustices, the savagery and inhumanity that have scarred and continue to scar the Holy Land,' Carey cautioned. 'We are not so naïve. But it is our duty and our desire to do what we can to bring forth good from evil, hope from despair.'
The Alexandria meeting was co-hosted by the Grand Imam of al-Azhar al-Sharif, Mohamed Sayed Tantawy, the most senior Islamic leader in Egypt and one of the most important leaders of Sunni Muslims worldwide.
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