Saudi King opens interfaith dialogue initiative
Pastor Dale Morgan
Saudi King opens interfaith dialogue initiative*
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah has opened a three-day Muslim interfaith conference that
the kingdom hopes would pave the way for a wider dialogue between
Muslims and adherents of monotheistic faiths.
Over 500 Muslim delegates from about 50 countries have gathered in the
holy city of Mecca for the event, including Hashemi Rafsanjani, former
president of mostly Shiite Iran.
Abdullah walked into the hall Wednesday with Rafsanjani, who later sat
on the king's left on the stage, sending a message that the Sunni Muslim
kingdom does not have a problem with moderate Shiites like him.
Participants say they hope the gathering will culminate in an agreement
on a global Islamic charter on dialogue with Christians and Jews.