Religious Diversity News - The Pluralism Project

A total of 138 of the world's top Muslim leaders, clerics and academics have written an open letter to the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury and other leaders of the Christian world.

It warns that world peace depends on better dialogue between them, and points to the fundamental beliefs each have in common.

But the real significance of the initiative lies in the creation of a powerful new lobby in world politics.

It is certainly not the first time that Christian and Muslim leaders have referred to their shared values and traditions.

In the years of tension since 9/11 it has been a frequent accompaniment to inter-faith meetings and projects aimed to mend the fractured and suspicious relationship between some Muslims and Christians.

But the letter, written by ayatollahs, muftis, sheikhs, sultans, professors and ministers, has taken this assertion of cousinly - even brotherly - relations to another level.

That is partly because the signatories have a considerable personal influence, in countries as diverse as Russia, Egypt, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Yemen.