Religion Roundup
Qatar Welcomes Israeli Rabbis to Interfaith Dialogue
Associated Press
May 16, 2008
DOHA, Qatar - More than a dozen rabbis, including two from Israel, have taken part in this week's dedication of a new center on interfaith dialogue in the Muslim sheikdom of Qatar.
The rare meeting of Muslim, Christian and Jewish scholars in the heartland of conservative Islam is another sign of Qatar's efforts to present a moderate image as it bids for the 2016 summer Olympics.
Two months ago, the country also allowed the opening of its first-ever Catholic church.
Efforts at interfaith dialogue got one of their biggest boosts when Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah met with Pope Benedict XVI last November at the Vatican.
In March, the Saudi king then made an impassioned plea for dialogue among Muslims, Christians and Jews -- the first such proposal from a nation that bans non-Muslim religious services and symbols.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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