110 HCON 374 EH: Supporting Christian, Jewish, and Muslim interfaith dialogue that promotes peace, understanding, unity, and religious freedom. U.S. House of Representatives 0 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 374 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Supporting Christian, Jewish, and Muslim interfaith dialogue that promotes peace, understanding, unity, and religious freedom.

Whereas interfaith dialogue among Christians, Jews, and Muslims is a powerful way to bridge the chasms of mistrust and misunderstanding that can divide adherents to the 3 Abrahamic faiths; Whereas a number of important initiatives to enhance interfaith dialogue have been launched in recent years; Whereas in 1997, the Three Faiths Forum was founded in London and has focused on improving understanding between the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities; Whereas in 1998, the Foundation for the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean was founded in Seville, Spain, by former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, and King Hassan II of Morocco, with the objective of promoting cooperation between Christians, Jews, and Muslims; Whereas in 2005, King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan launched the Amman Interfaith Message in order to establish full acceptance and goodwill between Christians, Jews, and Muslims; Whereas in 2007, 138 Muslim scholars, leaders, and activists sent a letter to numerous Christian leaders expressing their support for peace, harmony, and goodwill between Christians, Jews, and Muslims; Whereas in 2007, the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land was founded to advance [the] sacred values [of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism], to prevent religion from being used as a source of conflict, and instead serve the goals of just and comprehensive peace and reconciliation; Whereas the Vatican has announced that the Pope intends to address a Catholic–Muslim summit of religious leaders in November 2008; Whereas interfaith dialogue has the potential to inspire men and women around the world to appreciate the common values shared by adherents of different religions, thereby strengthening the bonds of respect, cooperation, and tolerance against the forces of radicalism, extremism, and hatred; Whereas these initiatives provide an opportunity to elevate the voices of people of faith who, often at risk to themselves, advocate for peace and understanding, courageous positions too often drowned out by radical extremists; and Whereas unity among leaders of different faiths is a powerful weapon to fight intolerance, marginalize extremism, and defeat the agents of terrorism: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of Congress that— (1)the United States supports the spirit of peace and desire for unity displayed in initiatives of interfaith dialogue among leaders of the 3 Abrahamic faiths; (2)the United States further supports additional meetings of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious leaders aimed at greater dialogue between the religions; (3)the United States encourages the many people of faith around the world who reject terrorism, radicalism, and extremism to join these and similar efforts in order to build a common bond based on peace, reconciliation, and a commitment to tolerance; and (4)the United States appreciates those voices around the world who condemn terrorism, intolerance, genocide, and ethnic and religious hatred, and instead commit themselves to a global peace anchored in respect and understanding among adherents of the 3 Abrahamic faiths.

Passed the House of Representatives September 23, 2008.Lorraine C. Miller,Clerk.