wfn.org | Jews, Christians, Muslims want to promote culture of peace

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

GENEVA, March 10, 1998 (lwi) - Representatives of three monotheistic world
religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - held a one-day seminar in
Rabat, Morocco, Feb. 16, to consider how they could together promote a
culture of peace and consolidate inter-faith dialogue. The meeting was held
at the invitation of King Hassan II of Morocco, UNESCO's director-general
and the Moroccan government's minister of higher education for scientific
research and culture.

The participants strongly reaffirmed the ethical values common to all three
monotheistic religions and expressed their firm conviction that all forms
of intolerance, intimidation, coercion, discrimination and violence, in the
name of religion, are contrary to the fundamental message of love and peace
that they advocate.

A draft declaration issued by the seminar proposes: "The establishment in
Morocco of a permanent forum of reflection and action between
representatives of the three monotheistic religions, with a view to
identify activities at various target groups and encourage mutual
comprehension and evolution towards a culture of peace."

Seven Christian representatives were among the participants: three Roman
Catholic, one Orthodox, one Anglican, and two Protestant. Among them,
Bishop emeritus Marc Chambron, Evangelical Lutheran Church of France, took
part on behalf of the Lutheran World Federation.

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Lutheran World Information
Editorial Assistant: Janet Bond-Nash
E-mail: jbn@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/