Scores of Muslim clerics, theologians and academics issued an open letter on Thursday to all Christian leaders saying the two religions need to work more closely together, given that they share the basic principles of worshiping one God and loving thy neighbor.
In sweeping terms, the letter notes that 55 percent of the world's population is either Christian or Muslim, "making the relationship between these two religious communities the most important factor in contributing to meaningful peace around the world."
The letter is being seen as an effort to tackle the strained relations between the two faiths as well as to address the widespread perception in the West that moderate Muslims are mute about violence. The letter notably lacks signatures from key figures in the puritanical Wahhabi sect of Islam prevalent in Saudi Arabia.
Pope Benedict XVI is the first of some 25 Christian figures addressed specifically in the 29-page letter, titled "A Common Word Between Us and You."
The letter quotes the Koran and the Bible, particularly the New Testament, to illustrate how their basic principles mirror each other. It says the Prophet Mohammed's stance was perhaps inspired by the Bible.
The letter notes that there are differences between the religions and that Islam teaches its faithful to resist those who attack them, but it concludes that the world's two largest faiths should compete only "in righteousness and good works."
Among the 138 signatories were senior theologians from around the world, including Sheik Ali Gomaa, the grand mufti of Egypt and hence the top Sunni Muslim figure there, as well as about a dozen other grand muftis. Ayatollah Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad, a Shiite Muslim from Iran, also signed.
The consensus was put together mostly by the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan, founded by Prince Hassan bin Talal.
Scholars said that the emphasis on Koranic texts made possible the tricky business of getting signatories from a wide range of sects.
The letter was welcomed by various leaders and institutions, including the Baptist World Alliance and Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury.
There was no immediate reaction from the Vatican.
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