Friday, December 29, 2006 at 1:01am
Iraq muslims make conciliatory move
Shiite and Sunni imams in Kirkuk, Iraq, personally delivered Christmas greetings to the Chaldean archbishop, Msgr Louis Sako, in an atmosphere of "sincere will of dialogue and mutual understanding." The Iraqi diocesan clergy said, "A delegation of Muslim religious leaders, Muslims, Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens, visited the Chaldean archbishop's residence of Kirkuk to deliver best wishes to Christians for Christmas," AsiaNews reported.
"During the meeting with Mgr Sako and priests of the diocese, both parties expressed the shared objective of attaining pacific coexistence between the different local communities. They stressed the need to increase reciprocal visits to heighten awareness," witnesses said.
Some observers said: "In a context like the Iraqi one, such events raise hopes that all is not lost, and that dialogue and understanding could distance tragedy and dangerous social divisions."
"During the meeting with Mgr Sako and priests of the diocese, both parties expressed the shared objective of attaining pacific coexistence between the different local communities. They stressed the need to increase reciprocal visits to heighten awareness," witnesses said.
Some observers said: "In a context like the Iraqi one, such events raise hopes that all is not lost, and that dialogue and understanding could distance tragedy and dangerous social divisions."