Using religion to justify terror rejected

New York: Countries attending a United Nations (UN) interfaith conference here on Thursday rejected the use of religion to justify acts of terrorism and the killing of innocents.

A declaration agreed upon by the participants from 80 nations at the high-level conference expressed concern at "serious instances of intolerance, discrimination, expressions of hatred and harassment of minority religious communities of all faiths."

The participants "underlined the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding and tolerance among human beings, as well as respect for all their diverse religions, cultures and beliefs."

The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, read the declaration near the end of the two-day meeting which was initiated by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and brought 14 world leaders to New York, including the US, Pakistani, Afghan and Israeli presidents.

"King Abdullah's initiative has come at a time when the need for dialogue among religions, cultures and civilisations has never been greater," Ban told a news conference.

"It has brought together people who might not otherwise have a chance to interact ... The challenge now is to go beyond the powerful, positive words we have heard."

Among the leaders brought together at the conference were the Saudi King and Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Arab-Israeli conflict

Peres had a rare praise for the Saudi monarch, saying on Wednesday, his initiative to end the Arab-Israeli conflict inspired hope that all countries in the Middle East could live in peace.

But Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal expressed disappointment on Thursday that Peres only talked positively about parts of the Arab peace plan and did not mention the others.

The plan calls for Arab recognition of the Jewish state in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from all lands captured in the 1967 Mideast war.