MABDA Report 17/11/2014

Catholic-Muslim dialogue: "It is never acceptable to use religion to justify" violence

The Catholic-Muslim Forum releases a final statement following its meeting in Rome on 'Working together to serve others'. Young people should be educated to build "respect for others". Inter-religious dialogue is important "to overcome prejudice, distortions, suspicions, and inappropriate generalisations." Pope Francis encouraged participants in their efforts.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "It is never acceptable to use religion to justify" acts "of terrorism, oppression, violence against innocent persons, persecution, desecration of sacred places, and the destruction of cultural heritage," said the final statement released by the delegates to third seminar organised by Catholic-Muslim Forum.

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Catholic-Muslim-dialogue:-It-is-never-acceptable-to-use-religion-to-justify-violence-32693.html

Former Canadian ambassador on Catholic-Muslim meeting

Catholic and Muslim leaders, meeting in the Vatican, have issued a unanimous condemnation of terrorism, violence, persecution and the destruction of places sacred to religious communities. The joint statement came as part of a final communique from a meeting of the Catholic-Muslim Forum which held its third Seminar in Rome from 11th to 13th November. The theme of the meeting was "Working Together to Serve Others," with a particular focus on education of young people, enhancing interreligious dialogue and service to society.

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/11/13/former_canadian_ambassador_on_catholic-muslim_meeting/1111103

CAIR Responds to UAE ‘Bizarre’ Terror List

America’s largest Islamic advocacy group responded on Sunday, November 16, to reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has added it to its list of “terrorist” groups, describing the decision as “bizarre”.
“We are seeking clarification from the government of the United Arab Emirates about this shocking and bizarre report. There is absolutely no factual basis for the inclusion CAIR and other American and European civil rights and advocacy groups on this list,” the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in a statement obtained by OnIslam.net.

http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/479835-cair-responds-to-uae-bizarre-terror-list.html

Washington National Cathedral Hosts First Muslim Prayer Service

On Friday, the the Washington National Cathedral was filled with the sounds of Muslim prayers.

Muslims and people of other religious traditions have participated in Christian or Interfaith services at the Cathedral in the past. However, the November 14 event marks the first time American Muslims have been invited to lead their own traditional Jummah prayer inside the same sacred space that has hosted presidential funerals and other national religious services.

The service was briefly interrupted by a lone protester who, according to the NBC4, shouted, "Why can't you worship in your mosque, and leave our churches alone?" The woman was quickly escorted from the sacred space.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/11/national-cathedral-muslim-prayer_n_6136222.html?utm_hp_ref=interfaith