Christian, Muslim leaders urge people to uphold religious freedom

Published: 2008-01-25

AMMAN, Jordan (CNS) -- More than 250 Christian and Muslim leaders from the Middle East called for all people to uphold religious freedom and allow access to holy places for all believers. The short document was signed by participants in the third international conference sponsored by the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center, under the patronage of Jordan's King Abdullah II. The leaders also called for respect for all beliefs, including not desecrating religious symbols sacred to other religions. Among the signers were Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem, Melkite Catholic Patriarch Gregoire III Laham of Damascus, Syria, and Armenian Apostolic Archbishop Sebouh Sarkossoam of Tehran, Iran. Muslim representatives came from the Palestinian territories, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel and Jordan.

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