Washington : More than 130 Muslim scholars have written to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders urging greater understanding between the two faiths. They say that world peace could depend on improved relations between Muslims and Christians. The letter identifies similarities in both religions, such as the requirements to accept only one god and live in peace with one’s neighbors. It also insists that Christians and Muslims worship the same God, according to BBC.
The letter, the text of which will be released in Washington today, says Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was told the same truths that had already been revealed to other prophets, Christian and Jewish, including Jesus (Eisa). They also cite the Quran as placing a duty on Muslims to treat Christians and Jews as followers of those prophets with particular friendship. It comes on the anniversary of an open letter issued to the Pope last year from 38 top Muslim clerics, after he made a controversial speech on Islam. Pope Benedict sparked uproar in September last year by quoting a mediaeval text which linked Islam to violence.
Recently, the Vatican urged Muslims to respect people of all faiths and not exclude them on grounds of religion, race and other personal characteristic. “They (the Muslims) must ensure culture of peace and solidarity between different religious communities and spread a teaching which honors all human creatures,” The Guardian reported on Tuesday, quoting Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran as saying. Cardinal Tauran is the newly appointed President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, the Vatican’s main liaison agency with the Muslim world.