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Khatami Welcomes Mecca Document | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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London, Asharq Al-Awsat- Mohammed Khatami, the President of the organization of dialogue among cultures and civilizations, has welcomed the document of Mecca, recently signed by the Iraqi Muslim scholars.

In a message to Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the secretary general of Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), khatami hoped that the pact of Mecca would pave the way for coexistence, tolerance and cooperation among all Muslim sects.

The message, carried by the Iranian news agency, said this development would yield positive results and benefit the Muslim nation, the Middle East as well as the entire world.

The message pointed out to the factions which advocate extremism in contradiction with the proper teachings of Islam which advocate mercy, wisdom and humanity.

The message also pointed out to forces of hegemony which try to spread the phenomenon of Islam phobia in the world, notably in the western countries, and work for dividing the ranks of the Muslims.

Iraqi Shiite and Sunni clerics met last Friday in the Muslim holy city of Mecca and collectively called for an end to sectarian violence that many fear could lead to civil war in Iraq.

Sponsored by the 57-nation (OIC), the meeting approved a declaration prohibiting the killing of Muslims in Iraq and called for safeguarding the unity of the country.

It also urged the release of Muslim and non-Muslim hostages.