Six of Britain's senior religious leaders on Friday urged countries involved in the war on Iraq to work for peace and security in the region after the conflict ends.
"We pray that early efforts to achieve a just, lasting and secure peace both in Iraq and throughout the Middle East may follow swiftly in the footsteps of war," they said in a joint statement issued by the office of the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, leader of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican communion.
"We urge those with the power to help make real this vision, to remain true, amid the clamor of conflict, to that noble and vital purpose," the statement read.
"Respect for every human being in times of armed conflict, as set out in the Geneva conventions and protocols, must be guaranteed on all sides. The rights and needs of civilians innocently affected by the conflict must be fully protected," it read.
The statement was signed by Williams; the Roman Catholic archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor; Free Churches Moderator Rev. David Coffey; Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks; the chairman of the Council of Mosques and Imams, Shaikh Zaki Badawi; and co-president of Churches Together in England, the Rev. Esme Beswick.
The leaders rejected claims that the U.S.-led attack on Iraq amounted to a war against Islam.
"As Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders in this country, we believe that it is vital, amid so much uncertainty and turmoil, to resist any attempt to drive our communities apart," they said.
"We commend the continuing efforts being made in Britain to build a society in which different faith communities can flourish side by side in mutual respect and harmony."