[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 374 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 374


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

           September 24 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

                                Received

            October 2 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

             Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         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
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
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.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.