The letter was believed to have been sent to The Pope and The
Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams (below)
Prominent Muslim scholars are warning that the "survival of the world"
is at stake if Muslims and Christians do not make peace with each other.
In an unprecedented open letter signed by 138 leading Muslim scholars
from every sect of Islam, the Muslims plead with Christian leaders "to
come together with us on the common essentials of our two religions."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and Pope Benedict are
believed to have been sent copies of the document which calls for
greater understanding between the two faiths.
The letter also spells out the similarities between passages of the
Bible and the Koran.
The Muslim scholars state: "As Muslims, we say to Christians that we
are not against them and that Islam is not against them - so long as
they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion,
oppress them and drive them out of their homes."
The phrasing has similarities to the New Testament passage: "He that is
not with me is against me" - a passage used by President George Bush
when addressing a joint session of Congress nine days after 9/11.
The Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, a non-governmental
organisation based in Amman, Jordan, has organised the letter.
The Institute said: "This historic letter is intended by its 138
signatories as an open invitation to Christians to unite with Muslims
over the most essential aspects of their respective faiths - the
principles of love of one God and love of the neighbour.
"It is hoped that the recognition of this common ground will provide
the followers of both faiths with a shared understanding that will
serve to defuse tensions around the world."
It continues: "Finding common ground between Muslims and Christians is
not simply a matter for polite ecumenical dialogue between selected
religious leaders.
"Together they (Muslims and Christians) make up more than 55 per cent
of the population, making the relationship between these two religious
communities the most important factor in contributing to meaningful
peace around the world. If Muslims and Christians are not at peace, the
world cannot be at peace."
Among those launching the letter in the UK will be David Ford, Regius
Professor of Divinity, and Fellow of Selwyn College, University of
Cambridge and founding director of the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme.
Aref Ali Nayed, a leading theologian and senior adviser to the
Inter-Faith Programme, will also take part at the event in central
London.
Original
Source
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Muslims tell Christians: 'Make peace with us or survival of world is at stake'
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