"Conference of Dialogue between Followers of Religions" Starts

Geneva, September 30, SPA-- The "Conference of Dialogue between
Followers of Religions" started in Geneva on Wednesday with the
participation of a large number of religious scholars, The Muslim
World League (MWL) and The World Council of Churches.

The two-day conference is the third one to be held within the
framework of the "Initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy
Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for Dialogue among
Followers of Religions and Cultures and its Impact on Promotion of
Human Values".

The first conference was held in Makkah in June 2008 and the second
conference in Madrid in July 2008. Participants in the two
conferences laid principles and foundations of the dialogue and
called on the General Assembly of the United Nations to adopt the
recommendations of the two conferences.

In an inaugural address at the conference, the High Commissioner for
Human Rights Navi Pillay welcomed initiative of the Custodian of the
Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz which provides the
world with an opportunity to discuss foundation of human values and
respect of human rights and dignity of life, which are the bases of
all religions and all holy books.

On his part, Dr. Samuel Kobia, the Secretary General of The World
Council of Churches stressed that dialogue among followers of
religions is based on mutual respect.

--SPA