COMMUNIQUE ON ENCOUNTER BETWEEN CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 3, 1997 (VIS) - A communique was made public today regarding the encounter organized jointly by the World Islamic Call Society of Tripoli, Libya, and the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, which was held in Rome from April 27 to 30.

The theme of the colloquium was: "Islamic Da'wah (Call to Islam) and Christian Mission in the Next Century." During the encounter there was "evaluation and self-criticism regarding the manner in which Christians and Muslims respectively have practiced Da'wah and Mission."

"The participants emphasized that in continuing to live, witness and share their faith, care must be taken to respect human dignity. This entails respect for the religion of the other when speaking and writing about it; it also means freedom of conscience enshrined in the right to religious liberty. Christianity and Islam agree that no compulsion should be used on persons or societies in the name of religion. ... Injustice and exploitation should be fought by Muslims and Christians together and by all people of good will."

The communique ends by pointing out that the council "and the World Islamic Call Society agreed also to continue on their part to collaborate and to invite others to join them in promoting better understanding between Christians and Muslims for the good of all."
.../MISSION:DA'WAH/CON-DIR VIS 970505 (220)