BEIRUT: Christians and Muslims in Lebanon and the region have nothing to fear from each other, Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said Tuesday at the opening of a Muslim-Christian religious summit in Beirut.

“We in Lebanon today, Muslims and Christians together, pledge to safeguard each other,” Qabbani said in his opening speech. He urged people of different religious groups to avoid conflict and “overwhelm their nation with unity.”

He said there is no reason “for anyone to fear the other in Lebanon or the Arab region.”

Muslim, Christian and Druze religious leaders met Tuesday to continue talks begun in May aimed at easing sectarian and religious tension among rival Lebanese parties.

The meeting at Dar al-Fatwa, Lebanon’s highest Sunni Muslim religious authority, kicked off under Qabbani before midday in the presence of the heads of the various religious sects recognized in Lebanon.

Among the figures were Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, Vice President of the Higher Shiite Council Sheikh Abdel Amir Qabalan and Sheikh Naim Hasan, the Druze spiritual leader. Also present were members of the Islamic-Christian National Dialogue Committee.

The summit is expected to tackle the general situation in Lebanon as well as developments in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and the region.

Sources close to Dar al-Fatwa said the closing statement is likely to emphasize commitment to Lebanese national unity, Muslim-Christian coexistence and the Taif Accord.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2011/Sep-27/149819-lebanons-religious-leaders-meet-to-discuss-coexistence.ashx#ixzz1Z92igHsK
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)