Understand The Times, International

Comment from UTT:

An upcoming interfaith conference that will be held in Madrid will bring Christians, Jews and Muslims together sponsored by Saudi Arabia. A number of high profile individuals will be represented. These include environmental evangelist Al Gore, Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams and Franklin Graham.

A quote from the following article states: "Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah said he hopes that the conference will help facilitate relations between the world's three major religions while helping to improve the world's perception of Islam."

Fasten your seatbelt. The ecumenical movement is about to shift into high gear!

July 7 - Saudi Arabia to Host Major Interfaith Conference

Article: Ecumenical Movement - Misc.

Christians, Jews and Muslims will gather in Madrid later this month for what could be one of the highest profile interfaith meetings in recorded history.

The three-day conference, hosted by Saudi Arabia, aims to highlight the attendees' shared heritage as children of Abraham and lists many prominent leaders and figures of faith including evangelist Franklin Graham, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and former Vice President Al Gore.

Also among the 200 prominent religious leaders will be major Jewish leaders including Rabbi David Rosen, the former chief rabbi of Ireland and head of the interfaith committee of the American Jewish Committee.

Although Israel and Saudi Arabia do not currently have formal diplomatic ties, Rosen said that he believes the conference will do much to promote peace and understanding. "I think that will be a great achievement," he told The Associated Press.

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah said he hopes that the conference will help facilitate relations between the world's three major religions while helping to improve the world's perception of Islam.