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October 11, 2008 11:09:26 PM CDT

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Benedict Plans to Meet With Muslim Leaders

Posted Jan 2, 08 11:59 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Catholic and Muslim leaders plan a "historic" meeting at the Vatican this spring, reports the AP, a year and a half after Pope Benedict's controversial comments about the Prophet Muhammad. Benedict proposed the meeting in response to an open letter from 138 Muslim scholars that urged interfaith dialogue based on common belief in a single god.

The talks will focus primarily on interfaith dialogue, teaching tolerance to the young, and respect for individual dignity. In September 2006 the pope angered many Muslims by citing a medieval theologian who characterized some of Muhammad's teachings as "evil and inhuman." The resulting storm of protest forced the pontiff to backtrack, saying he was "deeply sorry."

Source Associated Press

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Islam  • Pope Benedict XVI  • Vatican  • Catholicism  • Muslims  • God  • interfaith dialogue  • Prophet Muhammed  • pontiff


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