Nigeria: No 'Religious War' in Nigeria

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently launched his Faith Foundation's initiative in Abuja aimed at playing a role in fostering tolerance and peaceful co-existence between adherents of Islam and Christianity in Nigeria. In attendance were the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan; the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar, and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201212070795.html

Faces of the World Congress of Religions 2012

the Parliament-inspired World Congress of Religions, held this past weekend in Washington, D.C., sought to similarly strengthen the bridge between the East and the West, and in particular honor the 150th anniversary of the birth of Swami Vivekananda. The Congress featured topics ranging from world peace to the advancement of women. Keynote speakers included former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Martin Luther King III, and the newly elected House Representative from Hawaii (and first practicing Hindu in Congress) Tulsi Gabbard.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jack-gordon/faces-of-the-world-congress-of-religions-2012_b_2245458.html?utm_hp_ref=interfaith

Pasadena church joins with Muslim group to decry hate emails

Religious leaders from all sects and denominations stood shoulder-to-shoulder at All Saints Church in Pasadena on Thursday to denounce a spate of hate mail the parish received for hosting a popular Muslim event at the church.

Church officials claim they received more than two dozen emails from individuals condemning All Saints Episcopal Church for hosting the 12th Annual Muslim Public Affairs Council Convention on Dec. 15.

http://www.islamophobia-watch.com/islamophobia-watch/2012/12/7/pasadena-church-joins-with-muslim-group-to-decry-hate-emails.html

Amid Conflict, King Abdullah Interfaith Center Replaces Fear With Hope

The juxtaposition of events was at once startling and profoundly reassuring.

Last week in Vienna, only a few days after a cease-fire put an end to the recent exchange of missile fire between Israel and Gaza, I had the privilege of attending the opening of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna. The often inspirational event held at the ornate Hofburg Palace was attended by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Austria and Spain, a high-level representative of the Vatican and many eminent Muslim, Jewish, Christian and other religious leaders.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rabbi-marc-schneier/king-abdullah-interfaith-center-replaces-fear-with-hope_b_2232101.html