In an effort to improve inter-religious relations, in late 2006 Pope Benedict XVI visited the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, where he joined Muslim clerics in silent prayer

A closer view, in which the Pope is recognizable

Pope Benedict with the Turkish Prime Minister

Shareef Odeh presented the Pope a letter of Khalifatul Masih V, the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and a copy of the Holy Quran

Pope Benedict praying in a Mosque in Istanbul

Saman Hussain presents a gift to the pope during an interfaith gathering at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington April 17. The book contains poetic verses from the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The verse presented to the pope by the young Mulsim woman emphasizes the encounter with God as light..
CNS PHOTO/NANCY WIECHEC

Pope John Paul II kissing the Holy Quran

Pope Benedict XVI in front of the Dome of the rock Mosque