Eric - your Prez is on speed-dial to Jesus!

I don't see how so much diatribe can come from an offered olive branch. Fair enough there is no shortage of freaks and demagoges on both sides, and both the Bible and the Koran are filled with hate speech that is usually conveniently avoided.

But if Kennedy can deal with Kruschev, and Nixon can chat to Fat Mao, why can't Christians and Muslims at least have an open channel of debate?!

BTW - to all the (rightfully) Koran bashers, the Bible is just as bad, and not just the OT - wimmen should cover or shave their hair and not become teachers because they aren't allowed to tell men what to do (New Testament - Timothy 2)

Ted Baines - Hilarious!!

Sean, Anjo, Japan

I read the most comments, and i was surprised, about the mentality of some people, that when some one is trying to open a door between the religions , others insist to close it. when muslims asking dialogue, they don't do a propaganda or making kind of marketing of opened islam or modern islam, we do an order from our lord as he said on the Quran what we can translated "Say: "O People of the Book! -[ means Christian and jewic ] come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will).".
and if we have some extremists muslim. you have to be conscient that exist extremists also in the other religions .
we search to share a peace life and build a new world between us, we respect each other.

Yassine, Ottawa, Canada

The argument of the Muslim scholars was repetitive, basic, and misleading. Some comments:
-- Contrary to what anybody may say, the god of Islam is NOT the God of Christianity. Islam does not believe that Christ is God. To be a Christian, you must.
-- Could someone please remind me of the last Christian to kill people in the name of God? Thought so.
-- The atheists out there with the arrogant comments about the "mythologies" of these religions better realize that most of the logic behind their arguments that God doesn't exist come from the Catholic Church and Ancient Greek philosophy. Those two parties created Europe. Deal with it.
-- Also, those "Christian" countries who killed millions in the 20th centry where actually atheistic.
-- Lastly, Europe, in their dazed and confused current mindset better understand that if Islam reigns over it, the current freedoms that minorities appreciate will disappear and all cultural relics will be destroyed. Europe better wake up now!

Eric, Miami, USA

Ok, heres my 2 cents:

Firstly, that quote about the "scholars" saying "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," is driving me crazy! Do they think people believe that?
I just researched Jihad (meaning "to strive" or "to struggle") and apparently, the Qur'an says that you should kill a lot of non-believers (but only after they had their chance :P) and take prisoners.
Wow. That sure sounds like they're not against Christians.
And the Crusades (which I also just researched) were originally for recapturing Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim rule.
Obviously, there are some "Christians" who go to extremes, try to force Christianity on others, etc. But they are being hypocrytical to their own faith. The Bible specifically states that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (to put it plurally).

JMN, , Ohio

Are we starting to see the makings of our "One World Religion?"

Andrew, Tulsa, OK

I love the idea of them coming together and agreeing on a common frame of 'tolerance', but for many gay people, this could just mean the consolidation and strengthening of their homophobic ideals.

Woohoo, world peace at last for 'all' men...

Interesting how 'Monsignor Stenico' was suspended from the Catholic church today. Nudge nudge wink wink...

Andrew, London,

Salim in Blackburn, as soon as Mohamed was dead, the Arabs went on the rampage attacking first Persian and then the Holy Land. The Moors, Saracens, Arabs and Turks attacked Europe for over a thousand years. Some European countries didn't gain freedom from Muslim rule until the 19th and 20th centuries. Ottoman brutality is unrivaled in human history. Turkey still occupies European territory. Have you ever read a history book?

It's fair to say that the attacks have never stopped: Munich, Lockerbie, Madrid train bombing, 7/7, Glasgow airport - and we await the next attack.

Eugene, Chester , England

I don't think it's necessary to get moslems and christians to accept that they are deluded and believe in myths.

the central tenets of all the religions (aside from belief in the particular face of god) are tolerance, love and compassion for each other. none of the major religions advocate killing each other.

further, all believers should be able to question their beliefs enough to think that violence in the name of religion can't be justified.

either way, no violence.

the problem is that most of those using religion as an excuse for violence are not true believers, but rather damaged, sick and anti-social psycopaths. so those nice people writing to the pope and the pope himself, should he feel inclined to respond favourably, will have absolutely no effect on these people. they are at the fringes of the religion, not in the mainstream.

jem, london, uk

A most remarkable document.

While it is a little early to say, the authors of this letter are vastly more deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize than the self-serving publicist who has been awarded it today.

I am somewhat dismayed that the immediate responce from some 'Christian' leaders was to continue counting the number of angels dancing on the head of a pin!

As a disinterested observer, Islam and Christianity are but two peas in the same pod. The differences are trivial and relate entirely to the power dreams of the leaders of the various factions of both religions. You just have to look at page 1 of the document. The childish titles of most of the Christian leaders speaks volumes. The smaller the faction the more extravagant the title, it seams.

What Freud called the 'narcissism of trivial differences' has caused the deaths of billions of humanity in the last two millenia.

Brian Vallance, LEFKIMMI, Greece

"finding common ground between muslims and christians"? erm..both misquote their holy books,like President Bush did.Both have been involved and continue to be involved in warfware now and scince the time of Christ.Both groups have their leaders heavily involved in politics of the world.
Like Christ said ,you can tell if a tree is rotten by its friutage.Look at the friutage produced by these religions.
The Quaran tells muslims to believe in Christ the prophet, who said his disciples would be identified by love.That his followers should be no part of this world,and be united in faith.
Religion has failed.It does not represent the God of the scriptures at all.

Jonathan King, Co.offaly, Ireland

As you can guess from my name, I'm not a Christian any more. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, didn't like it.

On behalf of the 45% of the world that's not one of these two proselytizing monotheisms let me ask: if these two do come together in accomidation, are they going to join forces and work to forcibly convert the rest of the world then? Both have a pretty awful record in that regard.

I don't care about reconciliation between these two close relatives myself. I just want them both to learn to leave the rest of us alone to live our lives in peace and happiness. If they're going to fight (like all close relatives do) then at least do it and leave the rest of us out of it.

Flavius Iulianus, Seattle, Washington

What are you talking about wayne this is nothing to do with our beloved prophet mohammed pbuh. He taught peace he taught that other religions are respected eventhough when islam was in its embrionic stage the christians and jews tried kill him and destroy islam. So get your facts right, islam does not have to apologise to anyone it is a peaceful religion, there are people who misuse religion and interpret islam in an extreme way but that goes with any religion. Its the west that are attacking muslim countries stealing there oil and lands not the other way round. Islam does not have to make peace with anyone it is about peace, sadly some people who follow it take it to the extreme and give it a bad name. By the way there is no moderate or extreme islam, islam is islam a peaceful religion. Who are these scholars they don't represent me who wants to snuggle up to the other religions looking for peace there is no need we are peaceful people and its others who needs to learn from us.

Salim , blackburn,

Over the ages the fight was between Islam and Christianity for dominance in the Middle east and west and over control of jerusalem, the balance has tilted in favour of one or the other over time, but in the process islam seemed to have aquired the tendency to any other religion which it comes across, Judaism in Israel, hinduism in India, Buddhism in thailand, so the problem is that both Christanity and Islam are agressive religions which propogate through conversion which actively seeks converts, this conflict will only end with the total dominance of one over the other, which that is going to be is anybodys guess.

Vikram Aarella, Cardiff, Wales

I do not have a problem with Muslims but there are groups of Muslims who do not like the rest of the world. The Muslim scholars should preach to the Wahhabis and Osama bin Laden first regarding Islam as peaceful. Furthermore. The sincere desire for peace can be proved by allowing churches and temples be built in Riyadh and allowing former Muslims to live peacefully. Somehow, I doubt those things will happen.

Carolyn, Surbiton,

Having read the comments from other readers, it is highly worrying to see the near total lack of willingness and openness of minds to establishing meaningful and responsible and humane relationships with people of another faith. I ask these people, to consider how many Muslim countries are occupied by Christian forces and influences and in contrast, how many Christian countries are similarly occupied by similar Muslim forces and influences. Also I ask for their consideration of the financial motives driving these circumstances. Here we will see the underlying cause of the often violent divide (both ways) between Muslims and Christians, and to bring our world back into harmony, we need to bring responsible political control upon governments (who it has to be remembered, work for us, rather than we accepting dictation from the governments) to halt the violence. The initiative from the Muslim clerics is thus a very welcome opportunity for us all to re-assess our understadnings.

Malcolm Hooper, London,

moslems could start the ball rolling by making peace with each other first. with a shia/sunni love-in and all moslems pulling together, who knows.... maybe their currently disaffected populations would have nothing to blame on the west.

of course, this might involve a few of their wealthy and hypocritical leaders sharing a little. I wonder if that's the real problem.

jem, london, uk

Fatwas have been issued by Imams in the US and UK against suicide bombing and violence, but they don't make the news because they're not interesting.

Also, the words of Mohammed do NOT instill a need for violence any more than Jesus's words. People use all holy texts to their advantage, sometimes twisting or editing the words to suit their purpose. This is nothing new. Christians have been doing it for centuries, too.

I agree that peace is not divisible and that it needs to be shared with all, but perhaps this is the time to embrace this gesture in the hopes that it will lead to further growth. It was said that this would be peace on their terms. If Christians deny it - it could be interpreted that we will only take peace on our terms.

Peace is the importance thing. Let us never lose sight of that. If we gain a foothold here, perhaps another one, higher up, will present itself.

BTW, I'm a Christian, rather excited by all this.

Abby, Madison, WI

Again we have ignorant readers making ignorant comments!

Remerro, London,

Does this mean that I can become the first Archbishop of Mecca?

I personally don't know many Christians who are not tolerant of other religions, even if they don't agree with them.

I applaud the sentiment, but it seems like a cheap attempt at gaining the moral highground.

Les, Lavendon, UK

As long as Muslims around the world continue to preach for the eradication of the State of Israel, there can be no meaningful and lasting dialogue between Christians (Catholics etc) and Muslims.

philip mirabelli, london, UK

And what about Judaism? Are we to join with them in the persecution of the Jews who also worship one God?

Hugh Malafry, Victoria, B.C., Canada

I admire the attempt to reconcile, but how can Muslims call for dialog with Christians before they have called for dialog with their own ultra-extremist sects. Only once they start condeming Muslim radicalism can they start to talk about having dialog with Christians.

Joe Ewing, Colchester, VT/USA

It is my honest opinion, that it is too late to be talking to anyone within the United States about making peace. I arrive at this conclusion, simply by knowing that this Government has gone over the edge, so to speak, to a place of no return.
This is something that I do not wish, rather, I see more at stake than Islam or Christianity . We as citizens have been put in harm's way enough to dismantle government completely and start all over again with something not so 'out there!'
We exist with a government that is too sovereign, and uses our children to war against foes of their choosing. Any intellegent society does not put the young or their women in harm's way.
The United States for too long sat the seat of a brag, rag-to-riches and fame, has disparaged other developing Countrys from freedoms that all human beings require to be physically and mentally healthy.
Sad thing is, I may be at liberty to type this, but I am not at liberty to bring the correctness.

George Ronald Adkisson, San Diego, California.

I have now thought about this more & read all the comments here, most tell it as it is, & I am delighted to see so many people from different parts of the world DO seem to know about Islam.
To the Muslim here I say how can you ? how can you even think let alone hope, there will ever be peace around the world ?
Even if [ & god forbid ] Christianity ever agreed to anything to conform to Islam, no way would there be peace, even if [ god forbid ] Shariah law was implemented worldwide there would not be peace, & you know why ? Because Muslims cannot agree between yourselves !
Look at the state of Sunni & Shia in Iraq .
With all the sects of Islam, you have the most divisive religion of all, so what arrogance of these men to think they are in a position to offer anything,. When you all get your own act together, maybe then Christians should spare you the time for dialogue.
So which sect of Islam does this letter come from ???

Maggie Millington, Brittany , France

Biblical Christians will not compromise with Islam period.

Clifford, waimea, hawaii

It seems like lots of people talking against in islam in this forum has been brainwashed by the western media and their religious pundits just like Osama's gang has been brainwashing poor muslims. Here is what i would say to these poor brainwashed people of the west, If the so called western countries that claims to have freedom and are producing people like bush and cheney then muslims don't need your freedom. Keep it to yourself. We are proud to be muslims that respect humanity and love their fellow beings and respect people irrespective of their race, color and religion. Take some history lessons and you will be guided.

Fahim, Texas, U.S

This letter is a step in the right direction. Granting freedom of speech and freedom of religion in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran would be even better.

Joseph, NYC, USA

I think it is good news. A step forward. It's what religious leaders should be doing.
All the same, it's a shame they don't realise that "the common essentials of our two religions" are that they both preach myths, lies and propaganda. If only they could consider the possibility that they were wrong.
A lot of good, decent people follow these religions but the facts are that Jesus never lived and Mohammad was a murderous megalomaniac.

Giordano Bennetti, Swindon,

I'm sure once we have areas like Northern Ireland straightened out we can start blaming all the Muslims for the problems brought about by a small part of their religion.

Until that time I say we work towards peace from both sides instead of playing the blame game.

AJ, Cleveland,

ummm "survival of world at stake"...could that be hyperbole?;-)

David Bruno, Brussels,

Five letters out of six show that the writers seem to know more about Islam than Tariq of Leicester. If the Muslims refuted the Pact of Umar and abandoned the concept of dhimmitude that would help. However do not hold your breath. What about Dar-Al Harb and Dar Al Islam?

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

What can you say..... Muslims will have to learn tolerance

Andy Iddon, London, UK

Let there be light! This is the only way to stop the self-imposed march towards armegeddon the Christian and
Muslim conservatives are taking us on. We can create world peace if the religious establishment has the will to do so.

Elizabeth Hooper, Duluth, GA, USA

No room for the Jews at the table then? Muslims need to put their own house in order before issuing veiled threats to the Christians.

Funny really as a atheist I only see religion as a brand of politics. All three sects of religion stem from the same origins: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In fact Judaism and Islam have far more in common than Christianity and Islam.

Religion was created by man for man to control and manipulate man.

Frank, Home Counties, England

I see this as a welcome statement from the scholars; hopefully it will put pressure on those who support crime under the guise of fighting for their religion, whatever religion that may be. To so quickly dismiss such a gesture from prominent scholar’s shows bad form, somewhat underlining the challenges of such narrow vision that seems to prevail in modern society.

joseph, london,

If the Pope or any Christian leader accepts this letter then they will become part of the problem, not the solution.

It is a clever move.

Lance, Glasgow, UK

If we come together as they request will countries such as Saudi Arabia allow Christian churches or Jewish synagogues to be built. Since there is so much in common it seems there should be no problem with this. What this basically is is another veiled threat to convert to Islam or face the consequences

monko, springfield, u.s.

I completely agree with the sentiments of the 138 leading Islamic scholars regarding peace on earth,however the problem is not a Christian one.The war-mongering/aggression comes from certain wahabi followers on the Islamic side.One of the problems is that unlike the Catholic Church which has one central teaching authority that pronounces on interpretation of Holy Scripture,Islam does not have one and depending on which Imam you speak to ,you will get many different interpretations of the same passages from the Koran. This can lead to aggressive interpretations from wahabi followers and benign interpretations from sufi followers!

Karl Roberts , London, England

The problem arises from Christian/Muslim race to dominte the wold of their belief. I think in the name of religion they have looted lands and cultures. If Christian/Muslim gods existed it would have never happenned. I equate religion=political parties. Here is the quote of the day

When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had our land. -- Desmond Tutu

Bhasker, London,

When exactly did Muslims start this war? was it when we forcefully restructured governments in Egypt or Iraq or Affganistan or Iran ect ect ect or when we told Palestine they were not longer a country? or was it when we chose to use the middle east as a cold war weapons testing ground? or was it when it was it when it was invaded by France, England, Germany, Italy, Russia, or was it when we destroyed entire cites to take out a few supply depots, over and over again, How many puppet governments, wars, assassinations, bombing's, how many Middle Eastern have been killed because of Allied nations in the last 60 years?

Now I don't advocate tactics used by Islamic exstreamist, but taking the moral high ground on this topic is an option for no one. Do not forget that the issues we face today in the middle east, The spread of Islam itself is because of the actions of the governments of the western world. Do not be confused this was not started by the Islamic world

Eli, San Diego, California

Muslims are enjoined to make a peace treaty (Treaty of Hudaibiya) when they are weak, and bide the time till they are strong enough to impose Islam. In the West, this means that they have to wait for the demographics to take effect. In the meantime the use of Taqqiya and Kitman should be employed to beguile the Infidel.

The Treaty of Hudaibiya is considered as a precedent, and gives religious justification for unilateral breaking of agreements with Infidels. Islamic history is replete with such sham treaties and understandings, and continues to this day.

DaveP, Beverley, UK

These Muslims write "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."

Does this mean they're waiting to negotiate peace until after we leave Iraq? or Afghanistan?

Why are Muslims beheading Christian schoolgirls in Indonesia? Why are Muslims killing other Muslims in Pakistan? Why are Muslims killing Buddhists in Thailand? Muslims are also killing in the name of God in Algeria, Somalia... Perhaps the peace-letter-writing Muslims need to negotiate peace with some of their fellow Muslims first?

Bridger, Denver, CO, USA

Unless both sides abandon their mythologies there will never be peace on these terms. When that's done, they'll have to find other things to kill each other over...like oil.

Nick, Johnston, Iowa, USA

Why is it we are allowing religion to have such an impact on world events. There are far more atheists and agnostics in the western world than all those of a religeous belief combined.

Even in supposedly muslim countries there are many who do not practice their faith. So although it would be fair to say that 1.2 billion people live in countries who have islam as the state religion it is wrong to say that they should allbe counted as practising muslims.

Rather than letting these backward ideas shape our world and drag us back into the dark ages it is time to challenge those who promote religeous faiths to provide proof of their beliefs. If they cannot prove what they preach then maybe they should be quiet and let the rest of us live in peace.

Mark , Southend, Essex

Muslims, en masse, appear to be capable of 'tolerance' only when in the minority (eg. in Western Europe). When this is the case, they appear to be rather keen on minority rights and their leaders will often proclaim respect for others. Admittedly , they'll still tacitly/financially support violence, seek to groom/impregnate/convert young girls of other faiths, march against anything perceived to be remotely offensive, victimise converts to Christianity and segregate themselves in their self-declared ghettoes but, despite the odd bombing plot or two, they'll still call for peace and understanding.
However, worldwide, to my knowledge there does not exist a single muslim-dominated state where people of other faiths enjoy equality (technically Nigeria does, though only because the northern sharia states are basically muslim-only).

Given that demographics, if unchecked, will make Europe muslim-majority soon, is the government going to act? Or do we wait for France (13%) to fall first?

Paul, Birmingham,

Actions first, then words.

Reign in and call to account those Muslims carrying out an unholy unjust war against the West in the name of Islam. Cast out those unleaned Imams who, by their utterances and fatwas, cast dispersions on the very name of the Prophet Muhammad. Enforce the Amman declaration and then we talk. The Ummah needs to take action to place its own house in order before inviting in its neighbors.

The three faiths of The Book have co-existed before, but Christianity today does not share the illusion that its existence is in any way threatened. Let all seek peace. Otherwise, next time the Quraysh will finish the job at Yathrib.

"The retribution for an injury is an equal injury, but those who forgive the injury and make reconciliation will be rewarded by God." (42:40)

Scott, Durham, NC, USA

Does Islam need a New Testament?

James, Melbourne, Australia

The question is often asked " what should non-Muslims do to win the hearts and minds of Muslims?" when the question that should really be asked is " what should Muslims do to win the hearts and minds of non-Muslims?".

Muslims are now universally despised for several reasons.

1) The repeated acts of terrorism against non-Muslims and the genenally implicit approval by the general populace of non-Muslims for these acts and the readiness to blame the US and the Jews for the acts. To this day most Muslims believe that the Jews orchestrated 9/11.

2) Their refusal to integrate into the societies that have made life so good for them, especially the west, and that have allowed them escape the misery that their own Muslim societies with their allegiance to an outdated Islamic system have inflicted on them.

3) Most importantly the internet and recent publications has revealed the truth about Islam and its founder, Muhammad. It is now well known that Muhammad was a pschopath who indulged in sex with children in his fifties, was a slave owner, had fathered an illegitimate son with his slave girl, 15 year old Maria who was also a Christian, carried out ethnic cleansing of Jews in Arabia and stole half of Arabia from them, insulted God by inventing Allah and making this evil god the sole deity for Muslims.

4) Their refusal to condemn atrocities in Iraq, Muslims upon Muslims and also the shameful Islamic apartheid practised in Saudi Arabia where non-Muslims may not enter Mecca and Medina, may not openly worship anywhere in the kingdom, may not build churches, synagogues and other places of worship in Saudi Arabia. Muslims give implicit approval for the Islamic apartheid by continuing to do the hajj to Mecca, thereby saying that " the apartheid is fine with us".

The Muslims can do the following and, although it will take time, eventually Muslims will have won some respect from non-Muslims.

1) Declare that Islam was not revealed by God and admit that Islam is a harmful faith. Muslims should condemn outright Muhammad and Islam. Muslims should stop insulting God by associating Muhammad and Allah with Him.

2) Stop doing the hajj. By doing so they will send a powerful message that they will not tolerate apartheid. If Saudi Arabia stops the apartheid and the first church is built in Mecca and in Medina, then the hajj may be resumed.

3) Return half of Saudi Arabia, the western half of Saudi Arabia, to its rightful owners, the Jews. Relocate all Muslims from Palestine and the West Bank to Muslim countries.

4) Agree that all Muslim immigration to non-Muslims countries be halted until secular democratic societies are built in all Muslim countries. This may take many years. Right now it is too easy for Muslims to escape the oppression in Muslim societies by escaping to non-Muslim countries, especially to the West. They have no incentive to fight oppression at home.

It will take time. But eventually Muslims may become an integral part of civilized human society.

Ted Baines, New York, USA

I think that the letter is a good step to make peace. I don't understand Dr. Nazir-Ali. Of course the muslims don't believe in Holy Trinity. But this letter is regarding to that what Christians and Muslims believe same. Everybody should believe what he wants. For making peace the differences shouldn't be marked. It is necessery to make peace, dispite the discriminations of Christians in muslim countries. Think of what Jesus said: The servant isn't greater than his master. But when the master was treated like that, then how will the servants be treated?
We should praise God as the aspostols did,when we are in trouble because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Love your enemies and pray for them.

Manuel, Vienna, Austria/Europe

The muslims say that by cooperating with them Christians and muslims would be a 55% majority.

They forget that if Christians ignore the muslims, and cooperate with all non-muslims, we are a a larger majority, 80%.

Per, Stockholm, Sweden

The good news (from an Islamic point of view) is that the conflicts (wars) between Muslim and Christian nations may help Islamic nations and it's people to unite (this piece of news may be a sign). This would have been literally impossible otherwise, due to internal conflicts.

"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."

Whats happening in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and next Iran. ( two million refugees have fled Iraq and one million internally displaced )

Basically, Muslims around the world haven't been totally convinced that the wars inflicted upon Islamic nations and supported by western countries have anything to with stabilizing those countries by bringing democracy. They sense western imperialism and/or discrediting Islam.
I sense nuclearisation of the Middle East.

Mohammed, London, UK

Here is the exact quote:

"the very survival of the world itself is perhaps at stake"

Best to be accurate.

Mohammed, London, UK

what they mean is "please tolerate our faith so WE can have peace in YOUR christian countries - though in OUR MUSLIM countries we will not toleratre YOUR faith" It is not christians who are waging a "holy war" against the other side of the world, it is muslims - though not all. I think it would be fair to say Islam should put a fatwah on suicide bombers and radicalists in an effort to bring peace, as they are of course the source of the problem. Many did not fear muslims untill 9/11 and the "jihad" placed upon the west- who are mostly christian

melissa, London,

Moslems regard Jesus Christ as merely a prophet, and below in ranking to Mohammed. As such they are insulting the entire Christian world, while demanding respect for all aspects of their highly intolerant religion.

The fact is that the sword spread Islam, and we in Europe have forgotten that but for the sacrifice of Charles Martell, Jan Sebeka, and the Knights of St. John, and their soldiers, Europe would have fallen to Islam, and civilisation would not have come about. Our political elite, who allowed mass immigration of Muslims into Europe, is now betraying that sacrifice.

This letter to Christian leaders is simply a mechanism to forestall any attempt by Europe to save itself in time before the demographic growth rate of Muslims in Europe makes any accommodation with Westerners unnecessary.

DaveP, Beverley, UK

It's good to talk; they say as much on the TV in adverts for communication tools. Why then do some people find the concept such a strange one? There is nothing to fear except fear itself someone once told me. I would add that there is nothing to fear except God. Talking about the topic of God makes sense.

abda, bournemouth, dorset

And at the same time we hear that Muslilms on Tower Hamlets Council are calling for 350,000 Christian remains in a cemetary to be 'cleared away' to make room for Muslim burials.
Sorry, the constant demands of Muslim agitators here shows a gulf of respect for local Christianity.

Ib, Dalston, UK

And there I thought it was MUSLIMS who were blowing up and beheading people in the name of Islam! And I also thought Christians were an endangered species in many Muslim countries. Just goes to show, actions don't always speak louder than words.

Anne Lossing, Tampa, USA Florida

It is pointless to add to self-righteous stereotypes about Islam in these replies . Christianity has also been responsible for millions of deaths, many millions of native peoples died from the 17th century on, some estimate 70 million. There have been many deaths in European witch hunts, see Norman Cohn Europe's Inner Demons. In the 20th century Christian lead wars cost probably as many over 100 miliion lives and now Bush's threat to bomb Iran, in the name of God, could lead to the destruction of the planet.
See some war stats here http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat2.htm
Over one million Cambodians were murdered by the US a Christian god-fearing nation in an anticommunist illegal war. We can find justification for savagery in the bible if we want to.
Mutual demonisation in the enemy see my Moral Premises on nuclear war http://peacesource.net/

Barrie Machin, Perth, Australia

Christians have lived in Muslim lands since the arrival of Islam. During the Crusades the Eastern Christians were loyal to the Sultan(s), the Barmaki family were even ministers to the famous Harun Al-Rashid, of 1001 Nights fame. The first translation school was set up by a Muslim Caliph, using Christian scholars. The first Arab press was founded by Lebanese Christians. Is it not strange to say the least that, since the "liberation" of Baghdad by the West, nearly 60 percent of the Iraqi Christians, who can trace their community in the area to the Apostles St Thomas and Simon, have had to flee their ancestral land in less that 4 years?

Francis Tuttle, Madrid,

I guess we should welcome any development like this. But like some others here I think it would help if leading Muslin scholars such as these also voiced aloud any concerns they have about how Islam is interpreted and practiced around the world. Where are the outcries against the terrible atrocities committed by the Taliban, when they slaughter female teachers and students in the name of Islam? Why do they not protest against unfair treatment of women in some Islamic countries? Where are the protests against the judicial murder of apostate Muslims or the discrimination against Christians in some Islamic states?

Unless moderate, scholarly Muslims put their heads above the parapet on issues like this and reclaim the interpretation of the Koran from the hands of fundamentalists then the non Islamic world will continue to view Islam with concern and a degree of fear.

Kevin Miller, Tonbridge,

Before writing to the Pope these leading scholars could have given time to consider how Muslims might find common ground with each other and thereby end the appalling levels of violence that exists between Sunni and Shia Muslims in Iraq and elsewhere.

And which ‘scholar’ could fail to notice the carnage in Darfur, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Algeria, Somalia etc, plus non-Kurds v Kurds, Syria v Lebanon, Hamas v Fatah, Iran v Iraq ... . The list is endless.

Steve Warwick, London,

Antoine:

Joseph from New York is entirely correct. Like many in the West you are stuck in deep, deep denial over the threat that aggressive, political Islam poses and of the sobering reality that the latter is entirely rooted in the character of Islam's founding texts, which give rise to such traditions as the customary division of the world in Islamic jurisprudence into the "House of Islam" and the "House of War" (the latter still awaiting conquest) and the heavy hand of shariah law. And Islamic countries are generally the most repressive in the world. Muslims who claim to be "moderates" have got to face up to these realities and start addressing them with serious action to overturn the force of such traditions and defuse the violence they engender.

Simon:

You clearly were asleep if you missed the verses calling for the slaying of non-Muslims and the subjugation of the entire world to Islam. I suggest you dust it off, reread it, and pay more attention this time.

Thomas, Edmonton, Canada

How is it possible that otherwise rational human beings, fail to understand the mistakes of the past and continue to kill each other in the name of an invisible cause.

Max, Drogheda, Ireland

If you are a Muslim you have much,much,much more freedom to practice your religion in Christian countries than I have as a Christian in a Muslim country. Christians are being persecuted and even killed for following thier faith in some Muslim countries so please stop complaining that the world is agaist you when it is the other way around.

Tony, Dudley, UK

The day Muslims stop attacking the West and remove the threat of terrorism will be the day I'm interested in what they have to say.

Mary Witherspoon, Liverpool, UK

Under islam, kuffars must first be invited by word to convert to islam. if they do not, the next invitiation is by the sword.
Islam seeks to subjugate the entire world. Why are we letting them do it? When will we say, enough is enough?

ImNoDhimmi, Nova Scotia, Canada

I am simply amazed.I am more than sick and tired to hear that the western world wages war on the muslims. This confusion must stop. Despite the fact that there is a war in Irak that millions of us christians desapprove, and the palestinian conflict, IT IS NOT A WAR AGAINST MUSLIMS. In our western countries, muslims can freely and without discrimination practice their religion, which is not the case otherwise. Christians, nowadays, in certain countries are "persona non grata", or even open targets like in Sudan, Afghanistan. In our countries, we condemn racism, and right wingers . We don't appeal for murder when an intellectual or a writer criticises our religion. Strangely I cannnot hear a single and strong voice opposing extremism on their side. Mister Ahmadinejad is the best example, no one has yet condemned, that man, not a single intellectual, scholar or even media in the so "perfect" muslim world. Only a few did so, they live in hiding in Europe and are threatened by Fatuahs.

Yves Lentzy, Lausanne, Switzerland

I see this as the most encouraging inter-faith development for decades. I spent years teaching English in Turkey, Tunisia and Kuwait and never had any problems whatsoever with Muslims in general or Islam in particular. In fact I've read the Koran from cover to cover and found it a fascinating text. Muslims take their faith just as seriously as Christians and are often far less hypocritical in their personal behaviour. The generosity and hospitality of Muslims is legendary and you only have to visit Istanbul to realise that their architecture is second to none. We shouldn't judge Islam by the actions of a small minority of fanatics any more than we should judge the Vatican by the yardstick of the Mafia or the IRA.

Simon R. Gladdish, Swansea, Wales

Joseph from New York are you feeliong alright ???? By the way its called the British Govt .and I believe the Angles and Saxons were invaders of the British Isles werent they,nothing normative about that is there... Britain simply has evolved into a multi cultural society ,so please get over it dude. :)

Antoine, Warsaw, Poland

I hope that the moslem leaders would read from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:3-5

3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

What exactly are the Christians doing other than responding to the actions of the moslems (not necessarily extremists)? Also, what about the peace between the moslems and the remaining 45% of the world?

andy carr, Washington ,

It is one world and we are one people. We have far more in common than we give ourselves credit for. Technology and new media has to be used to help us take benefit from our common beliefs and values, as the alternative isn't attractive to any sane person.

Farrukh, Woking, UK

This is a welcome development and there seems to be a glimmer of hope when there are sane people on both sides of the debate seem to share a desire for peace and build a common ground. I fully agree with the concept of commonality between the faiths tracing with common Abrahamic lineage(only wish the Jewish faith was addressed in this letter as well, maybe later?) and the common faith in God.
I would also like to point out that Dr.Nazir Ali's understanding of seems a little flawed, Muslims also consider Jesus as being created due to word of God and also consider him as human-a most revered and honored prophet of God. It is always a surprise to my Christian friends to point out that even Osama Bin Laden cannot claim to be a Muslim unless he believes in the holy mission of Jesus. As somebody who lives in a multicultural mosaic that is the Western world and who has friends and relatives on both sides,I sincerely hope that an honest and just peace prevails between the two global faiths.

Rizwan Ali, Houston,Texas, USA

This is a disgrace. These people do not represent global Islam, they do not represent mainstream Islam in places like Pakistan,Saudi Arabia,Iran,Indonesia,Syria, Lybia etc. Far better would be for them to write to many of these Muslim nations and ask them to show "peace" by allowing total religious freedom and toleration. Do talk about peace when you can't build churches in many Muslim nations, if you convert to Christianity you are often under a death penalty. They say they arent against Christians but they have no power or influence over these Islamofacist states! Meaningless words from powerless people.

Dhimmi, London, UK

Ahem, Fatwas have come against Suicide Bombings.

In every religion there are intersections fo people who draw meaning of faith from some religious person who they think is their 'fairy godfather'. Some of these persons tend do distract people and use them for their own motives. They are the ones who are waging a so called war against west and its values.

But, as for me living in the west, the west has adopted a lot of the values that islam and the prophet has been preaching. West might say this is common sense but when these teachings were given the west was under dark ages.

And about jihad, the prophet always mentioned to fight against the oppressor and not become the aggressor. These so called millitants are not a centimeter close to Jihad. US attack on Iraq can be called as jihad because Saddam was an oppressor.

MEHDI ALI KHAN, Zurich, Switzerland

What would Joseph have the government do; imprison anyone with a head scarf or a beard longer than four inches? What about non-Eastern converts to Islam? On my last trip to London I met a number of white Irish Muslims. I wonder if Joseph would have the "normative anglosaxon protestant" government return to repressionist policies regarding the Irish as well. The point is that yes, the UK and other Western nations are open to threats from subversive terrorist organizations. All the more reason to pay attention to and encourage these imams who, according to this article, have crossed the boundaries of their respective sects in reaching out to Christian leaders. The Crusades of medieval times did not solve anything, and neither will any similar attempts. Cohabitation is the only answer.

Ethan, Boston,

Islam owes it's unparalled expansion as a world power to Jihad. The principle duty of the Caliph's was to keep pushing back geographical borders separating the Land of Islam from that of the War Territories.

It is the duty of every muslim to struggle until the entire world is Islamic, by peaceful means such as the word or pen, or those of the sword. So between Islam and non-muslim states a religious and legally obligatory state of war, which can only end with the conversion or subjugation of all mankind, exists.
A treaty of peace between Islam and non-muslim states is not legally possible. The 'war' can only be interupted, for reasons of necessity or expediency, by a truce. This truce should not last more than 10 years in duration and can be repudiated unilaterally by the Muslims, who are required by law to give the other side due notice before resuming hostilities.

Perhaps Islam should put it's own House in order before seeking to convert others to it's beliefs.

Ian, Surbiton,

I applaud the steps that have been taken to ensure peace and harmony between the two largest religions in the world. Progress, such as this, ensures interfaith tolerance, extinguishes ignorance and promotes the prospect of intellectual debate. More importantly, as a Muslim, it encourages people to seek knowledge and so helps to rid themselves of the idea that terrorism has a place in Islam.

As-salam-o-alaikum (May the Peace of God be Upon You all).

Tariq Abdullah, Leicester, United Kingdom

Is this a coded threat ?

Paul K, London, UK

islamic radical organisations are rife in the uk and have been for the past 20 years. their goal is to undermine the western state, impose a caliphate and 'plant their flag on downing street'. they pose a grave and dangerous threat to christian western society whose efforts are being undermined by the likes of prince charles who is meant to be the defender of the faith however is selling out traditional british values for a separatist multicutural state. a state which undermines normative anglosaxon protestant values in place of minority interests who bully the majority into a corner of racist accusation and imperial immorality...the time to change this is NOW and for the English government to hear this wake up call...your way of life and values are being undermined and you are letting this happen blindly. how many terrorist attacks/attempts will it take for you to wake up and smell the coffee???

Joseph, new york,

I thought it was the Muslims waging war against everyone else. Maybe the leaders of the other world religions should send Muslim representatives an open letter stating that they should cease jihad and start embracing the kuffar, rather than stoning him.

Tony Belton, London, UK

funny that, seeing as a lot of the violence in the the world derives from the teaching and life of the muslim prophet- mohammed. muslims may say that is not true, so where on earth do the more violent members or shall I say the more purer members draw their inspirations from - the Bible? They are only doing what their "prophet" are doing. They then have the cheek to say to others - o lets have peace. There will be no peace until muslims route out the violence from the life of mohammed and that is not going to happen is it?

Wayne, Stockport,

No Mention of peace with the Jews or other non-monotheists as the President of Iran calls the other 50% of the world.

The Imams need to work on an Islamic reformation INTERNALLY before making demands on one of the culture's they denigrate so widely.

Peace is not divisible. Islam needs to make peace with all the world, not just Christians. Peace through their actions and the actions of their communities: How about they start with fatwah AGAINST suicide bombs.?

Zen, London,