Patriarch: Christian-Muslim relations being used against Palestinians

Published: 2004-08-13

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- The topic of Christian-Muslim relations is becoming a weapon used against Palestinians, said Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem. The patriarch said the international media often address the topic and "it is becoming a dangerous weapon, easy to use indeed, against the Palestinian people in general and the Palestinian political leadership in particular." In opening remarks at an Aug. 10 interreligious conference on Christian-Muslim relations within Palestinian society, Patriarch Sabbah said religious leaders were aware of the danger and must deal with it "in a serious way, since a lot of people fall into its traps." He said religious and family education is the best way to deal with this danger. "We ... have to raise our voices ... and tell the whole world that these accusations brandished against Palestinians are first false and, second, cannot serve the cause of peace in the Middle East. On the other hand, we have to eradicate all the symptoms that could be used as evidence, especially by emphasizing the rule of law," said Patriarch Sabbah. The patriarch was among 150 Palestinian Christian and Muslim religious leaders who attended the conference in Ramallah, West Bank. The meeting was conducted under the auspices of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

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