Muslim leader says interreligious conference should include Jews

Published: 2004-06-01

DOHA, Qatar (CNS) -- An annual conference on Muslim-Christian dialogue held in Qatar should include Jews next year, said the leader of this predominantly Muslim Gulf state. While Islam and Christianity have found common ground in "the human values and principles" they espouse, the Jewish religion also "concurs with Islam and Christianity in the belief of the oneness of God," said Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Qatar's emir. "Perhaps it is useful to widen the dialogue in next year's seminar" to include representatives of the Jewish faith, he said in a message delivered on his behalf by Qatar's prime minister May 27. Dialogue among leaders of the three monotheistic faiths "is the way to build a decent human life where the principles of love, tolerance and equality prevail for the good of mankind," he said in his message. Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, who took part in the opening ceremony, said the emir's proposal was timely and bold. "It is a courageous proposal and very fitting," he told reporters May 28.

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