Muslim World League invited religious leaders for talks to bridge the gap between Islam’s two main sects
Iraqi Sunni and Shiite clerics denounced divisions along religious and ethnic lines and emphasized the country’s unity at a meeting intended to find common ground between Islam’s two main sects in the war-torn nation.
The meeting held recently was organized by the Muslim World League in Islam’s Holiest city, Makkah, and brought together a group of clerics from the two sects to help bridge their gap.
The League’s secretary-general, Mohammed Al Issa, said the meeting was exceptional and was held in a “brotherly and understanding” atmosphere.
After the meeting, the clerics issued a statement on the need to activate what is known as the Charter of Makkah, which was signed in 2006 by Iraqi religious leaders and meant to end the bloodshed in the country.
The 10-point charter calls for an end to sectarian violence and attacks on places of worship, to safeguard Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity, the release of innocent detainees, and allow displaced people to return to their homes.
The participants agreed to denounce sectarianism and urged coexistence, moderation, mutual respect, and tolerance. They also called for “opening constructive dialogue channels” among the clerics to deal with various issues.
“The priority in our religious and media messages must focus on unity, preserve the country’s identity, make sure to build it, reject terrorism and violence in all forms,” the statement said
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