Both gatherings are important. A Common Word was a groundbreaking invitation by Muslim religious leaders worldwide to engage in wider dialogue with Christians and Jews, and fully deserves a further engagement. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s appeal has a more practical slant in working to stem religious tensions.

As with the Saudi-led interfaith talks in Spain that began today, the real challenges will be (a) translating talk into action, and (b) taking the message from the leadership to the grassroots. The former will enable the latter, as the proof of the sincerity of the participants will be in the outcomes that they are able to achieve once they get home.

Dave

“The dialogue, called for by King Abdullah after he won the backing of Sunni and Shi’ite clerics at a meeting in Mecca this month, will be held on July 16-18 by the Saudi-based World Muslim League, the Saudi Press Agency said.”

The dialogue will cover life in human societies, international cooperation, human rights, and issues of security, peace and living together in the world.

Iran’s former president Rafsanjani said that the meeting would also cover Western influence in the Muslim world, including issue around Iraq and Palestine.

Let’s pray for the ability of the attendees to listen as well as talk …

Dave