Saudi king reiterates call for inter-faith dialogue

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi King Abdullah reiterated Wednesday a call for dialogue between Islam and other religions during a gathering of Muslim scholars to discuss eventual inter-faith talks.

"You meet today to tell the world ... that we are the voice of justice and moral human values and the voice of coexistence as well as just and reasonable dialogue," he told the opening session of the three-day International Islamic Conference in the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

However, the monarch pointed out that among the major challenges now facing Muslims is combating a growing extremism.

"The challenges facing the (Muslim) nation are difficult at this time, as its enemies -- including those extremists among its own people -- have joined forces in a flagrant...