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Last update - 14:32 28/09/2007 Vatican urges Muslims to reject violence, work for peace By The Associated Press Tags: Muslims, Vatican The Vatican urged Muslims on Friday to reject violence, work with Christians for peace and to teach their young to love and respect all people and not become cultural or religious blocs opposed to one another. The Vatican's top official in charge of relations with Muslims, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, issued the Vatican's traditional message to Muslims to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. In it, he urged the Muslim faithful to enter into a dialogue with Christians to help us to escape from the endless spiral of conflict and multiple tensions which mark our societies. Advertisement It was the most pointed appeal to Muslims from Tauran, who was named in June to head the newly reopened Vatican office that specializes in relations with Muslims, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Church relations with Muslims were badly strained last year after a speech by Pope Benedict XVI that linked Islam to violence. Benedict later said he regretted that Muslims were offended by his remarks. Tauran, the Vatican's foreign affairs chief from 1990 to 2003, has pledged to back the moderate forces within Islam to improve dialogue and help defeat extremist groups that encourage terrorism. On Friday, the French prelate said all religious believers had the duty to work together for peace and to reject, denounce and refuse every recourse to violence which can never be motivated by religion, since it wounds the very image of God in man. "We know that violence, especially terrorism which strikes blindly and claims countless innocent victims, is incapable of resolving conflicts and leads only to a deadly chain of destructive hatred, to the detriment of mankind and societies," Tauran wrote. He said he was appealing with all his heart for Muslims to enter into a dialogue with Christians so they can work together for peace. Such dialogue, he said, would give the younger generations an example to follow and imitate. Tauran urged Islamic leaders to educate their young in a way that honors all human creatures. Thus all forces can be mobilized in the service of mankind and humanity so that the younger generations do not become cultural or religious blocs opposed to one another, but genuine brothers and sisters in humanity, he said Bookmark to del.icio.us   My land, my country Israeli Arabs mark 32nd Land Day in demonstrations across the country. One voice on Israel It's hard to find differences in U.S. candidates' promises on peace process.   1.   Oops, Vatican forgot the Jews... 14:36  |  Mike 28/09/07   2.   coming to mind the expression" its like talking to a brick wall " 15:12  |  victor hardman 28/09/07   3.   Reject Violence = Reject Islam 16:39  |  Chick 28/09/07   4.   Mike 16:41  |  Israeli 28/09/07   5.   Where is the inquisition when you need it? 16:45  |  Natallie Durson 28/09/07   6.   Look who is talking! 17:08  |  Rich 28/09/07   7.   VATICAN SHOULD TALK TO US AND ISRAEL: THEY HOLD KEY TO ENDING IT 17:09  |  TrippleJump 28/09/07   8.   Funny 17:11  |  Aaron 28/09/07   9.   Second Attempt: Reject Violence = Reject Islam 17:32  |  Chick 28/09/07   10.   Muslims cannot reject violence 17:34  |  Existential 28/09/07   11.   reply for # 3 chick existential 18:43  |  john 28/09/07   12.   10. Ignorant? 19:04  |  Exitential 28/09/07   13.   TripleDump 19:28  |  Albert Seligman 28/09/07   14.   for #10 existential 19:40  |  john 28/09/07   15.   TO #11 john - Islam in history. Islam today 19:49  |  Chick 28/09/07   16.   good luck.. 20:10  |  Igor D. 28/09/07   17.   WELL, THEY SURE TOOK THEIR TIME 20:15  |  Robert 28/09/07   18.   In Muslims` defense 20:24  |  Existential 28/09/07   19.   John 20:32  |  Existential 28/09/07   20.   JEWS ARE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES IN ISRAEL 20:39  |  TONY 28/09/07   21.   Pope Benedict 21:08  |  KUTW 28/09/07   22.   Islam, Cult religion 05:43  |  Cristo 30/09/07   23.   Vatican head, muslim organs, violence to the Law and covenants 08:43  |  Yohan 31/03/08

Today Online Hamas chief Meshal: Abducted soldier Gilad Shalit is still alive Responses: 29 Bush: Peace deal by 2009 likely if road map fulfilled Responses: 213 Dutch Jewish group: Anti-Islam film is 'counterproductive' Responses: 219 Editorial: Israel must help Bush, Rice's belated peace effort succeed Responses: 52 Rosner's Domain New Guest: Rabbis who don't officiate intermarriage should refer to rabbis who do Poll: what percentage Jews will vote McCain? Is McCain eligable for contribution from the new dovish lobby? 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) Bush is still determined not to repeat Clinton's mistakes More Headlines 10:37 Peace Now: Momentum for Jewish construction in E. J'lem 'unprecedented' 10:20 Hamas leader Meshal: Abducted soldier Gilad Shalit is still alive 09:02 Shaky peace initiative 06:07 U.S. Pres. Bush 'optimistic' on 2009 Mideast peace deal 09:17 Cash-strapped Foreign Min. can't celebrate 60th anniversary abroad 06:25 Join the PA police, get NIS 1,400 a month 10:22 UTJ joins Yesha Council, seeks expansion of Haredi settlement 09:42 MK Ayalon: Barak is Labor chair, but he is not the party itself 10:45 Israel can't escape subprime woe 01:29 Police: Bnei Brak has by far the highest rate of sexual offenses 06:23 U.S. Jewish donors conference to address Israeli philanthropy 00:01 Study: 60% of Israel's poor are ultra-Orthodox and Arabs 06:03 Czech defense minister: Radar deal will help Israel Previous Editions Select Day 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar

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