[Congressional Bills 110th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Con. Res. 374 Introduced in House (IH)] 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 374 Supporting the spirit of peace and desire for unity displayed in the letter from 138 leading Muslim scholars, and in the Pope's response. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 19, 2008 Mr. Wamp (for himself and Mr. Ellison) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Supporting the spirit of peace and desire for unity displayed in the letter from 138 leading Muslim scholars, and in the Pope's response. Whereas 138 Muslim scholars from every sect of Islam sent a letter to the Pope and other Christian leaders expressing their belief that ``[t]he future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians''; Whereas ``the survival of the world'' is at stake because about half the world's population is composed of Christians and Muslims and there are too many conflicts between the two; Whereas the Vatican has announced that the Pope intends to address a Catholic- Muslim summit of religious leaders in November 2008, with the goal of beginning regular, official dialogue between the two religions; Whereas around the world and throughout history, religious faith has inspired many people to great acts of kindness and generosity; Whereas each faith contains adherents who have struggled to foster peace, wellness, strong families, economic justice, environmental sustainability, and human and civil rights; Whereas many faiths include groups and individuals who have exploited religious devotion to promote various causes through the use of violence, and this extremism is a threat to peace in the world; Whereas the recent letter from Muslim scholars to the Pope and others reminds us that the Muslim voices advocating peace and dialogue are too often being drowned out and suppressed by the radical extremists; and Whereas the best opportunity to stem the tide of terrorism is for moderates in all 3 ``Abrahamic'' religions to stand together against the threat of radicalism: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that-- (1) the United States supports the spirit of peace and desire for unity displayed both in the letter from 138 leading Muslim scholars from every sect of Islam to the Pope and to other Christian leaders, and in the Pope's gracious response to the letter; (2) the United States further supports the summit of Catholic and Muslim religious leaders and their mutual goal of greater dialogue between the religions; (3) the United States should encourage those Muslims throughout the world who stand for peace and reconciliation; and (4) the United States appreciates those voices within all faiths who have condemned genocide, terrorism, death, and destruction and who call for global peace between the ``Abrahamic religions''. <all>