An organization of
European religious leaders convened in Sarajevo to discuss how inter-religious
cooperation can promote peace.
The European Council of Religious Leaders was formed last year by leaders from
Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, and five other religions.
The meeting, which began Tuesday, is discussing effects from the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks, the Iraqi and Middle East crises and the situation of
Europe's religious communities.
Mustafa Ceric, head of the Bosnian Islamic Community that is hosting the
meeting, was quoted in the daily Dnevni Avaz as saying the council is "the
way not only to have a dialogue, but also to act in the cases when a religion
is used or misused for something that is not its main goal."
Lutheran Bishop Gunnar Stalsett of Norway told the daily that religions
"have not always contributed to unity, but now we feel that we should do
everything in order that reconciliation and dialogue be realized."