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Saudi King to attend UN interfaith dialogue

The King of Saudi Arabia said he plans to attend a meeting at the United Nations next month to discuss his initiative to promote interfaith dialogue, reported the official Saudi Press Agency.

  • AP
  • Published: 23:36 October 27, 2008
  • Gulf News

Riyadh: The King of Saudi Arabia said he plans to attend a meeting at the United Nations next month to discuss his initiative to promote interfaith dialogue, reported the official Saudi Press Agency.

In remarks carried by the agency on Saturday night, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz called for religious tolerance and said such dialogue is the duty of every human being.

The King also urged fellow Muslims to reach out to non-Muslims as a way to show that Islam is not a violent religion.

"I will go to America for the dialogue of followers of religions," the King said at a meeting with Information Minister Ayad Madani and newspaper editors.

"The dialogue comes at a time when the world is criticising Islam. It is regrettable that some of our sons have been tempted by Satan or brothers of Satan," added the King, referring to militants who have carried out attacks around the world.

"Nothing can purify [Islam's reputation] except for the extension of Muslims' hands to their brothers in other religions."

King Abdullah has taken a leading role in bringing adherents of different sects and religions together. In the past few years, he has encouraged dialogue between the kingdom's Sunni majority and Shiite minority.

Earlier this year, he brought together different Muslim groups for a meeting in Makkah. In July, he presided over a gathering of Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists among other religions hosted by Spain.

Saudi newspapers this month quoted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as saying that the General Assembly will discuss the King's interfaith initiative in mid-November, on Saudi Arabia's national day.

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