Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders meet in Vienna, commit to promote interfaith dialogue and tolerance

Dialogue between religions is as necessary as ever in light of recent conflicts » said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Monday at a meeting Monday in Vienna of Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders aimed at forging new efforts promoting interfaith dialogue and tolerance.

The meeting came on the occasion of the opening of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, (KAICIID),  a project made possible by a gift of the Saudi royal family.

The KAICIID was set up jointly by Saudi Arabia, Spain and Austria, with the Vatican acting as "founding observer.

The interfaith meeting was held just days after fighting between Hamas and Israel stopped in the aftermath of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire.

http://www.ejpress.org/article/news/western_europe/63648

Why We Have To Take The Saudis' Interfaith Offer Seriously

Presidents, government ministers and religious leaders from around the world gathered in Vienna on Monday (Nov. 26) for the gala launch of the King Abdullah Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue.

While Austria and Spain joined Saudi Arabia in establishing the center, it originated in a bold initiative by Saudi King Abdullah. Some years ago, the king convened representatives from all segments of the Muslim world in Mecca to support his call for Islam to engage the other world religions in addressing the social, scientific and global challenges of our times.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/28/saudi-interfaith-center_n_2200689.html?utm_hp_ref=interfaith

The Muslim 500 - 2012

The Muslim 500' introduces a list of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world. It ranks the Top 50, and places the remaining 450 into 13 categories: Scholarly, Political, Administration of Religious Affairs, Preachers and Spiritual Guides, Philanthropy/Charity and Development, Social Issues, Business, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, Quran Reciters, Media, Celebrities and Sports and Radicals

These people are the movers and shakers of the contemporary Muslim world. Knowing them, and their ideas gives a solid foundation for understanding how Muslims' view themselves.

http://www.themuslim500.com