Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., June 25, 2008 Sivan 22, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:50 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Rosner's Domain
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah. (Archives)
Last update - 19:45 26/05/2008
Saudi King extends invite to Jews for interfaith meet
By Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: WJC, Ronald Lauder 

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has sent an invitation to the World Jewish Congress for an interfaith dialogue with Muslim and Christian leaders, Haaretz has learned.

While the date and location of the meeting has not been announced, sources have told Haaretz that King Abdullah seeks to hold the meet in Saudi Arabia, no small feat as the country is ruled by Islamic Sharia law and currently does not allow the entry of holders of Israeli passports or those whose passports bear entry visas from Israel. The country also bans all non-Muslim prayer in public.

WJC President Ronald Lauder issued a statement Monday saying that "despite all the obstacles that may still be in the way, King Abdullah's initiative is a laudable step forward. We hope that other religious leaders and political leaders throughout the world will be encouraged to join."
Advertisement
WJC Governing Board Chair Matthew Brofmann also praised the initiative and expressed his hope that it will "spell real progress in fostering better understanding with the Muslim world," and added that the WJC "is ready to participate in any interfaith talks that are meant towards mutual respect."

Abdullah first announced his plans to hold the meet during a public address in Riyadh in March, where he said "I plan, god willing, to hold summits - not just one - so as to hear the opinion of my Muslim brothers all over the world. We will start to meet with our brothers in every faith I have mentioned - the bible and the New Testament."

King Abdullah said the kingdom's top clerics had given him the green light to pursue the idea.

In response to the Saudi initiative, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger at the time said, "our hands are extended to any peace initiative, or to any dialogue whose goal is to bring an end to terror and violence. I have said many times that the true way to reach the long-awaited peace is through interfaith dialogue."

Related articles:
  • Saudi company to invest $250 million in West Bank construction
  • U.S. diplomats: Saudi Arabia likely to join nuclear arms race
  • Saudi King plans first interfaith conference to include Jews
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Gilad's tale
    VIDEO: U.S. kids read abducted soldier's story of co-existence.
    Leaving Torah behind
    Study finds religion is not very important to American Jews.
      1.   Muslim involvement in Interfaith largely political 19:04  |  Interfaith Chairman 26/05/08
      2.   Maybe Some Progress 19:07  |  Yosemite 26/05/08
      3.   The problem is the "king" has no credibility in the Muslim world. 19:29  |  ManintheMiddle 26/05/08
      4.   Israel has invited Arab leaders to the Jewish state of Israel for 19:32  |  Rami 26/05/08
      5.   The "king", Brofmann and Lauder 19:35  |  ManintheMiddle 26/05/08
      6.   The way to achieve mutual respect 20:31  |  Interfaith Chairman 26/05/08
      7.   Not a problem 20:49  |  Colin Wright 26/05/08
      8.   Which Jews? 20:56  |  W 26/05/08
      9.   Afraid of Iran...these druken despots 22:23  |  HA HA 26/05/08
      10.   Maybe they can discuss not using god to advance their movements 22:24  |  Diplomat 26/05/08
      11.   Rami- No, its that they cannot recognize a state 22:26  |  Romulus! 26/05/08
      12.   Will the Saudi King be willing to erase from the Koran all 23:08  |  Akram Zekaria 26/05/08
      13.   ther can be NO interfaith with muslims 23:22  |  victor hardman 26/05/08
      14.   #8 W - "true interfaith conference" is an interesting term by you 23:44  |  christoph 26/05/08
      15.   Interfaith Saudi conference 07:15  |  Promethea 27/05/08
      16.   #13 Regarding your invitation, Mr. Hardman 08:11  |  Abdullah`s Main Man 27/05/08
      17.   angels and real healing? 18:08  |  montgomery rosen 25/06/08
      18.   King`s invitation 20:47  |  FD 25/06/08
     Read & React
    Jihad threatens to continue rocket attacks, despite truce
    Responses: 165
    Rosner's Guest: Israel was wrong on Hezbollah war, wrong on Gaza restraint
    Responses: 52
    Attempted coup splits Hamas military wing in two
    Responses: 75
    Olmert: Top priority is to bring home seized troops
    Responses: 38
    Top Saudi official: Ball in Israel's court if it wants peace with us
    Responses: 48
    Rosner's Domain
    "Israel's Supreme Court illegitimately extending its sway over military decisions"
    One out of five Israelis wants out (WTR)
    Religion is not very important to American Jews
    Poll: exchange deal with Hezbollah, good or bad?
    Why do non-Jewish Americans support Israel?


    More Headlines
    18:11 'Israel's top priority is to bring home seized troops'
    19:30 Olmert: Opposition rejects coalition's agenda of peace
    15:22 Top Saudi official: Ball in Israel's court if it wants peace with us
    14:27 Jihad threatens to continue rocket attacks, despite truce
    19:36 Jerusalem welcomes flashy new addition to city of ancient relics
    16:56 Tajikistan's Jews despair as only synagogue razed
    20:40 Ex-Knesset speaker: Time for two-state solution running out
    20:22 Israeli assaulted by mob after driving into Ramallah by accident
    18:39 Experts checking if Vilnius building constructed on Jewish cemetery
    15:53 Ex-Likud MK Omri Sharon completes prison sentence
    14:24 'Attack on Paris Jewish teen may be linked to ongoing gang feud'
    13:55 Ben Gurion Airport stages mass aviation disaster drill
    15:36 Egypt finds seven smuggling tunnels, arms cache near Gaza border
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Holyland Park
    Jerusalem Apartment Tower World Class Luxury
    In the heart of Tel-Aviv
    The Meier on Rothschild tower
    Jerusalem of Gold
    Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location
    Your vacation starts here
    Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Pardes Institute Summer Sessions
    http://www.pardes.org.il/
    Free the Palestinians from:
    Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel
    Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved