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"Surely, those who believe, and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians, whoever have faith with true hearts in Allah and in the Last-day and do good deeds, their reward is with their Lord, and there shall be no fear for them nor any grief."  Qur'an 2:62

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Executive Director Schwartz on Saudi King Abdullah's proposal for a global conference of Muslims, Jews, and Christians, Jewcy, March 25, 2008

www.jewcy.com/post/saudi_king_calls_interfaith_dialogue

Saudi King Calls For Interfaith Dialogue

By Stephen Suleyman Schwartz

Created Mar 25 2008 - 4:00pm

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has announced plans [see note below] to organize an "interfaith conference" among Jews, Muslims, and Christians. He invites "representatives of all the monotheistic religions to meet with their brothers in faith" in Saudi Arabia, in order to foster "respect among the religions."

King Abdullah's initiative is excellent and extremely positive. A conference of open

and sincere dialogue between representatives of the three Abrahamic traditions can only be a step forward. My only concern is that the diversity of Islamic opinion be fully represented, but indications from the Saudi kingdom are that King Abdullah recognizes the negative impact of Wahhabism, Deobandism, and other fundamentalist sects on the future of Islam. I hope that Jewish and Christian representatives will participate in such a conference with confidence in their own revelations, and will not give way to "politically correct" accommodations with Wahhabism.

Jewish and Christian representatives should understand that mainstream Islamic tradition respects the People of the Book and expects their teachers and other advocates to present their viewpoint in a learned and insightful manner, and not to engage in nonsensical rhetoric intended to improve relations with the Muslims by offering empty compliments. Jews and Christians who meet with and enter into dialogue with Muslims should do so from a position of self-respect, not of self-abasement. I hope and expect that Muslims at such an event will conduct themselves similarly.

[CIP Monitor Note: On March 25 the Saudi Press Agency reported that King Abdullah will host a series of interfaith conferences.  He announced this initiative at a reception to honor participants at the ongoing Japanese-Islamic World Dialogue.  The King stated his meeting with Pope Benedict was “unforgettable.”]

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