Vatican, al-Azhar sign historic accord

For the first time in history al-Azhar and the Vatican on Thursday set up a joint Islamic-Christian joint committee to fight sectarianism and terrorism.

The agreement was signed at the Vatican by Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, chairman of the Archbishop council for dialogue among religions and Sheikh Fawzi Fadel al-Zafzaf, chairman of the permanent committee for dialogue among divine religions at al Azhar.

The two sides pledged to "fight together sectarianism as a source of hatred and violence and terrorism and to work for enabling religions to play their role in human societies so as to establish fraternity, solidarity, cooperation, justice and peace and to settle problems affiliating to the welfare of humanity as a whole.

The Vatican and al-Azhar showed mutual desire to strengthen relations and encourage dialogue to fight and refute false claims against religions. "The committee, which will meet at least once a year, alternatively in Cairo and in Rome, will examine matters of common interest, such as questions related to respect for religions, justice and peace, human dignity and human rights," a Vatican press release said, adding that the agreement is aimed at "promoting mutual understanding and respect between Catholics and Muslims through an exchange of information."

Prior to the signing ceremony Cardinal Arnesi and Sheikh al-Zafzaf exchanged speeches in which they underlined the importance of the accord which has been reached following four years of negotiations.

Pope John Paul II is to meet al-Azhar delegation today.