"Dear friends continued the Pope as he addressed the delegates of the Muslim Communities I am deeply convinced that we have to address, without giving in to the negative pressures of this sphere, the values of mutual respect, solidarity and peace. The life of any human being is sacred, for both Christians and Muslims. We have great scope for action, in which we can feel bonded, at the service of the basic moral values. The dignity of man and the defence of the rights that derive from such dignity must become the aim of any social scheme and any effort made to implement it". And he warned: "It is a message we have to listen to and have others listen to; should its echo fade in our hearts, the world would be exposed to the darkness of a new barbarism", because "only by recognising the focal position of man, can we find common grounds for mutual understanding, overcoming any cultural conflict and counteracting the devastating strength of ideologies". (to be continued)
