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PROGRESS IN CATHOLIC-MOSLEM DIALOGUE
Representatives of Both Confessions Meet In Paris

PARIS, JUL 13 (ZENIT).- The fifth meeting of the Islamic-Catholic
Liaison Committee was held in Paris from July 1-3. Created in 1995, this
institution is made up of Islamic leaders, representatives of Islamic
international bodies, and by the Holy See's Pontifical Council for
Inter-Religious Dialogue. In the meeting, the Catholic Church and
prestigious international Islamic bodies expressed the need to begin
"common action to sustain permanent religious values in a changing world
order."

The Catholic delegation was headed by Cardinal Francis Arinze, President
of the Pontifical Council, while the Islamic delegation was led by Kamel
al-Sharif, Secretary General of the International Council for Da'wa and
Relief, Cairo.

In the final joint statement, the representatives of both religions
explained that in order for the culture of dialogue to continue, it "is
important to be clear on the nature of dialogue itself. The latter
covers all forms of encounter that promote mutual understanding and
respect. The committee believes that the culture of dialogue should be
based on the development of mutual trust in order to establish justice,
promote peace, ensure respect for human dignity and obtain secure
coexistence for the whole of human society."

In the second place, the Islamic and Catholic representatives believe
"that this culture of dialogue should be based on belief in the One God
and the fulfillment of ethical principles that reflect the will of the
Almighty."

In this way, the Committee stressed the need "to call attention to the
religious values that should guide political leaders in achieving a
world order that will insure the good of all human beings."

The two delegations concluded their meeting by appealing "to the media
to promote religious values and the culture of dialogue." They agreed to
continue their consultation so that there will be cooperation in the
application of these principles at the local and international levels