Muslims Write Pope To Improve Relations

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 13 A large group of Muslim scholars have written to Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City as part of an attempt to improve relations between their two religions.

The letter from more than 130 Muslim scholars details how improving understanding between Catholics and Muslims worldwide could be the key to finally achieving world peace, the BBC reported Saturday.

To reach such a lofty goal, the letter compares certain Bible verses with similar passages in the Koran in an attempt to show the similarities between the two religions.

Also sent to other top Christian leaders, “A Common Word Between Us and You” asks that Christians worldwide not act aggressively against a religion that does not act out against them

“As Muslims, we say to Christians that we are not against them and that Islam is not against them — so long as they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them and drive them out of their homes,” the scholars said in the letter.

One scholar behind the letter told the BBC that a member from each of the different Muslim schools of thought signed the peace-oriented document.

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