ASTANA, Kazakhstan - Dozens of senior clerics who attended an interfaith conference here yesterday expressed concern over mounting inter-religious and inter-ethnic tension worldwide.

Israel's chief rabbis, a representative of the Iranian ayatollahs, and Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi of Egypt were among the participants of the Second Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.

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The closing statement yesterday conveyed a general message of reconciliation and hope, and the leaders decided to reconvene in Astana in 2009.

Israel's Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, who addressed the congress before its closure, spoke against "the prevailing tendency in the world today to associate events with religious issues."

Throughout history, Jews lived in Muslim states "peacefully and calmly," Amar said, suggesting that the gathered religious leaders ensure that their respective countries study books that teach peace and love of nations.

Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger met Tantawi Tuesday night.

Metzger said the meeting was good, and that he had invited Tantawi to visit Jerusalem as his guest.