Imams and rabbis discuss how to promote peace at UNESCO gathering

A United Nations meeting bringing together imams and rabbis from Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and other places in a bid to bolster Middle East peace kicked off today in Paris.

The three-day UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) gathering is expected to draw 85 participants, including 45 Palestinian imams, Israeli rabbis and Christians, as well as experts and religious leaders from nearly two dozen countries.

The opening session will be addressed by, among others, Koïchiro Matsuura, UNESCO Director-General, and Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal and of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

The Third World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace will wrap up with the adoption of a final declaration and is planning to set up a monitoring group to support initiatives promoting peaceful coexistence and dialogue.