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A hundred or so imams and rabbis will meet in Morocco, at the Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (close to Fez) from 31 May to 3 June to discuss the questions that are agitating the Middle East and the co-existence of the two religions in the world and to reaffirm that “peace and reconciliation are the very essence of their religion”. Under the patronage of the king of Morocco, the Congress is being organized by the Foundation “Men of Word”, founded in Geneva in 1999 in the conviction that “religions have the power to unleash wars but also the ability to promote peace”. A hundred or so Jewish and Moslem religious leaders have already enrolled in the world Congress: the guests will include Schlomo Amar, Chief Rabbi of Israel; Talal Sedir, Imam of Hebron and Minister for religious affairs in the Palestinian Authority; Mohammed Mokhtar Sellami, Grand Mufti of Tunis; Abdullah Omar Nasseef, president of the World Islamic Conference; Gilles Bernheim, Chief Rabbi of Paris, and David Rosen of the American Jewish Committee. The aim of the Congress is to “foster lasting dialogue and collaboration between Islam and Judaism; contribute to the identification of peaceful solutions to overcome the conflicts in which the two religions can exert an influence and promote concrete actions on the territory; and bring together the leaders of the two religions so that they may express a position of peace and unity before the media of the whole world”. The theme of the Congress is: “Islam and Judaism as instruments of peace: recognition of and respect for others”. The idea for this great meeting was hatched at the previous congress organized by the Foundation in Switzerland in 2003 which brought together some forty Palestinians and Israelis. On that occasion Talal Sedir, Imam of Hebron, had said: “We disagree about history and about the holy places, but we have no right to disagree on the reality; the life of man is more important than anything else”. René Samuel Sirat, Chief Rabbi of France, had added: “Men of religion are an invisible force. Their word may influence those who have the task of taking important decisions for their country and for peace in the world”. (For further information: www.hommesdeparole.org).
