Imams-Rabbis conference to rebuild 'moral and ethical space common to Islam and Judaism', King's advisor
Regional, Religion, 1/5/2005

The ongoing first world Congress of "100 Imams and Rabbis for Peace" in Brussels "should help us rebuild the ethical and moral space that is common to Islam and to Judaism," said, here Tuesday, Andre Azoulay, Adviser to King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

The conference which is attended by over 500 experts from the Middle east, North Africa, Asia, Europe, Africa and America, more than what was expected, according to organizers, is held under the High patronage of King Mohammed VI and Belgium's King Albert II.

Azoulay, a Moroccan Jew, called on participants at the second day of the conference, to discuss "the challenges facing both (Muslim and Jewish) communities," to favour progress and modernity" and to reject "archaism and obscurantism."

"The right to freedom, justice, and dignity of peoples and nations, is the same whether we are Muslims, Jews or Christians," he insisted before calling upon Imams and Rabbis to be "the champions of the sovereignty of the Palestinians" to live in peace and dignity side by side with Israelis.

The opening session of this conference was marked by a message sent by king Mohammed VI to participants in which the monarch voiced hope that this gathering would curb intolerance and exclusion.

The monarch also warned against pretentious people who, he said, often exploit the religious feelings of peoples, leading them headlong towards perdition.

"One of the most important obligations devolving to us is to seriously and diligently seek to remove the Name of Allah and the Words of Allah from the clutches of those who "gave the grace of

Allah in exchange for thanklessness and led their people down to the Abode of Loss.," the monarch said quoting a verse from the Koran.

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