message of reconciliation

Interfaith conference ends with message of reconciliation
By Yair Ettinger

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Dozens of senior clerics who attended an
interfaith
conference in the Kazakhstan capital yesterday expressed concern over
mounting inter-religious and inter-ethnic tension worldwide.

Israel's chief rabbis, a representative of the Iranian ayatollahs, and
Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi of Egypt were among the participants of
the Second Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

The closing statement Wednesday conveyed a general message of
reconciliation and hope, and the leaders decided to reconvene in Astana
in 2009.

Israel's Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, who addressed the congress
before its closure, spoke against "the prevailing tendency in the world
today to associate events with religious issues."

Throughout history, Jews lived in Muslim states "peacefully and
calmly," Amar said, suggesting that the religious leaders see to it
that their countries study books that teach peace and love of nations.

Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger met Tantawi Tuesday night.
Metzger said the meeting was good, and that he had invited him to visit
Jerusalem as his guest.

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