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Abu Dhabi: More than 300 Christian clergymen signed a letter, apologising to Muslims for Crusades and the consequences of the war on terror, which resulted in human and faith damages.
In a letter titled 'Loving God and Neighbour Together', the Christian clerics replied to an earlier letter from 138 Muslim scholars titled 'A common Word Between Us and You'.
Unprecedented
Dr Habib Ali Al Jafri, Muslim propagator, said: "I am happy with this letter, which is considered as an unprecedented step to bring the Islamic and Christian faiths and civilisations closer."
Speaking at a press conference held yesterday at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Al Jafri said Muslims and Christians make up 55 per cent of the world's population, and this new closeness serves as the first firm step towards returning to peace, brotherhood and harmony between people.
He added that more steps would follow in response to the apology to enhance interfaith dialogue. The letter from Muslim scholars was sent to 27 Christian heads of churches around the world, including the Vatican.
Twenty-five of them replied, but no reply has been received yet from the Vatican and an Orthodox church, Al Jafri said.
Miroslav Volf, Director for Yale Centre for Faith and Culture, said the earlier letter from Muslim scholars has touched Christians and awakened the sentiments of tolerance and closeness between the two sides.
The clerics who signed the letter are from all over the world, mostly from the US, and represent the largest sector of Christians.
Your comments
This is a good gesture on part of both the faiths. The paths to worshipping the Almighty are different and, therefore, we have different religions. We call Him by different names because we have different languages. Let us use our faiths to boost peace, happiness, brotherhood, moral values and prosperity. We need to concentrate on eradicating human suffering, poverty and diseases and promoting literacy.
From Prabhat
Dubai
UAE
Posted: November 27, 2007, 13:21
We should all be proud of this remarkable achievement. We should use our education to understand other cultures and religions. At the same time, we should try and make others understand ours.
From Mahomedzicar
Pemba
Mozambique
Posted: November 27, 2007, 12:28
I thank all who signed the letters. Best of luck in your efforts to spread peace.
Gul
Beijing,China
Posted: November 27, 2007, 12:11
The letters have come at an appropriate time when world peace is at stake. However, just apologies on paper are not enough. They need to be implemented in day to day life to bring about peace and harmony.
Ashley
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 27, 2007, 10:42
It was good to learn that Muslims had played a proactive role in addressing the issue; historically, Islam does not look down on Christians and Jews.
More such efforts should be in place to bring closeness between Christians and Jews as at the end of day we all worship the same God (Allah) and the difference boils down to Prophets and the path shown by them to their followers.
Arif
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 27, 2007, 09:23
I do hope this good gesture from all religions continue so that we can have a peaceful and wonderful world as God wants us to have.
Arnold
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 27, 2007, 08:41
It is a very good beginning. And better late than never. The Vatican should respond to it in good faith.
Anwar
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: November 27, 2007, 07:51
The idea that we all worship one God and that we all come from the same mould should serve as the basis for relationship between all religions. If clergies and Imams dig deeper, they will realise that both religions share many common ideals which should become the basis of union between the two. A good example to look at is how the Muslims and Christians lived side by side in the Middle East many centuries ago.
Wissam
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: November 27, 2007, 07:28
The Yemeni scholar Dr Habib Ali Al Jafri represents the true refined and sophisticated Islam. Such an important step will prove very helpful in demolishing the man made destructive barriers between both major world faiths.
Rashed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: November 27, 2007, 07:16
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