Mabda Report 01/09/13

Seeking a world full of peace through dialogue: A meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah II and Pope Francis

Dialogue and negotiations are “the only option for putting an end to the conflict and violence” in Syria, said Pope Francis and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

As Western leaders expressed strong convictions that the Syrian government carried out a chemical weapons attack against its own citizens and vowed to take action, Pope Francis met King Abdullah and Queen Rania at the Vatican.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2013/08/29/pope-francis-and-king-of-jordan-say-negotiations-are-the-only-option-for-syria/

US Presbyterian Church Teaches Islam

Bringing both faiths closer, a Farmington Presbyterian church in the southern US state of New Mexico is planning classes on Islam to introduce a true image of the much debated faith to its congregation.

"Ever since 9/11, we who did not understand very much about the Muslim faith certainly have been exposed to it," Rev. Glenn Perica of Farmington's First Presbyterian Church told Farmington’s The Daily Times.

http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/464259-us-presbyterian-church-teaches-islam.html

Youth generate unique multi-faith community in Bosse, Switzerland

Young people of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths have recently created a unique community at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland. Together they seek to break religious stereotypes, promote mutual respect and enhance their understanding of religions beyond the conflict paradigm.

Taking part in a summer course titled “Building an Interfaith Community”, these young adults were hosted by the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey in Switzerland from 12 to 30 August 2013.

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18932

Vatican cardinal: peace among religions possible in Middle East.

The cardinal who heads the Vatican’s interreligious dialogue department said that religious differences in the Middle East do not necessitate violence.

“This is the place where the three monotheistic religions meet, and they have the possibility to build up society,” Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran told CNA on Aug. 29. “The problem is when religion becomes politics.”

Cardinal Tauran was secretary of the Vatican’s nunciature to Lebanon from 1979 to 1983 and participated in special missions in Beirut and Damascus in 1986. He is currently president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-cardinal-peace-among-religions-possible-in-middle-east/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20catholicnewsagency/dailynews%20(CNA%20Daily%20News)&utm_term=daily%20news