Inter-religious diplomacy institute to be set up next June in Fes
Regional-Morocco, Religion, 1/8/2005

The creation of a permanent institute for inter-religious and inter-cultural diplomacy will be announced next June in Fes, during the Sacred Music Festival, held every year in this Moroccan central town.

The announcement was made by Faouzi Skalli, president of the Fes festival, on the occasion of the first congress of "imams and rabbis for peace," wound up Thursday in the Belgian capital city.

The projected institute will develop inter-religious diplomacy through reflection and interpretation of sacred texts to contribute to find a way out to political conflicts, Skalli said. Religious chiefs have an important role in promoting awareness among their communities of the judeo-moslem heritage, Skalli said.

The congress adopted at the end of its three day meetings a declaration by which the imams and rabbis called to "fight hatred, ignorance as well as their causes and to build together a world of peace."

The religious chiefs also call on political leaders to find solutions to a just and lasting peace throughout the world, particularly in the holy land and to ensure the respect of human rights "without which no peace is possible."

The gathering created an eight member joint permanent committee to help implement the commitments made by the congress and make proposals to help achieve its goals. The conference was attended by over 500 experts from the Middle east, North Africa, Asia, Europe, Africa and America. The opening session of the conference was marked by the reading of a message sent by king Mohammed VI to participants in which the monarch voiced hope that this gathering would curb intolerance and exclusion.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed congratulates Arab and Islamic leaders on Aid Al-Fitr   (11/15/2004)
  Religious extremism harms Islam, experts   (5/12/2004)
  First world congress of Imams and rabbis for Peace to be held in Morocco   (3/25/2004)

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