First world congress of Imams and rabbis for Peace to be held in Morocco

The first world congress of "Imams and rabbis for Peace" will be held from May 31 to June 3 in the mountain resort of Ifrane (south of Rabat), it was announced in Brussels Wednesday.

This congress will be organized mainly by the Swiss-based Foundation "Hommes de parole" with the help of the Rabat-based Islamic educational and Scientific organization (ISESCO) and other organizations.

Alain Michel, founder of "Hommes de parole" said the choice of Morocco is explained by the fact that "the Kingdom is the only Arab and Moslem country where Islam is the state's religion and which guarantees constitutionally the free exercise of all religions.."

Other speakers hailed the role played by the late King Mohammed V, grandfather of King Mohammed VI in the protection of the Jewish community which has always lived in harmony in Morocco.

They also condemned all forms of violence and terrorism insisting that the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is not of a religious nature for, they said, religion is source of unity.

The idea of bringing together Imams (Moslem preachers) and Rabbis goes back to June 2003 in Caux (Switzerland) at the end of an informal meeting that reunited some forty Israeli and Palestinian religious figures.