Jordan Times
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
King, Pope urge continuing
interfaith dialogue
ROME (Agencies) — His Majesty King Abdullah and Pope Benedict XVI on Monday
called for continuing interfaith dialogue and building bridges of understanding,
coexistence and shared values between civilisations.
During a meeting at the papal summer retreat Castel Gandolfo, just outside Rome,
the King told the Pope of Jordan's work in encouraging a better understanding in
the world of Arab-Islamic principles, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
Pointing to the shared values of Islam, Christianity and Judaism, King Abdullah,
who arrived in Rome on Sunday, stressed that followers and scholars of the three
monotheistic religions need to work in harmony to combat violence and extremism
and challenge those who abuse religion to justify their wrongdoings.
The King and the pontiff said Jordan and the Vatican would employ their strong
ties to serve Middle East peace and achieve stability for the peoples of the
region.
The King was accompanied to the papal audience by HRH Prince Ghazi and Jordan's
Ambassador to the Vatican Dina Kawar.
In a commentary he contributed to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera,
published yesterday, King Abdullah appealed to the world to reject attempts by
extremists to drive Islam and the West to a clash of civilisations.
In his commentary as well as in his audience with Pope Benedict, King Abdullah
referred to the Amman Message, launched last November, as a call on Muslims to
reject extremism, embrace moderation and be tolerant of other religions.