Christian, Muslim leaders offer no new remedies against extremists

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (AFP) — A conference of Muslim and Christian leaders aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue ended here sidestepping the thorny issue of religious fundamentalism.

The four day event hosted by the Yale University Divinity School is the first of a series of Christian-Muslim talks to be held around the world. Future events will be hosted in Britain, at the Vatican, and in Jordan.

Some 150 religious leaders and academics gathered for the event -- mainly protestant theologians and evangelical leaders on the Christian side, and Shiites, Sunnis and Sufis on the Muslim side. Six Jewish guests were present as observers.

"The practical issues included world poverty, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the situation in Palestine and Israel, the...