Peace-seeking European religious leaders meet in Sarajevo

An organization of European religious leaders convened in Sarajevo to discuss how inter-religious cooperation can promote peace.

The European Council of Religious Leaders was formed last year by leaders from Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, and five other religions.

The meeting, which began Tuesday, is discussing effects from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Iraqi and Middle East crises and the situation of Europe's religious communities.

Mustafa Ceric, head of the Bosnian Islamic Community that is hosting the meeting, was quoted in the daily Dnevni Avaz as saying the council is "the way not only to have a dialogue, but also to act in the cases when a religion is used or misused for something that is not its main goal."

Lutheran Bishop Gunnar Stalsett of Norway told the daily that religions "have not always contributed to unity, but now we feel that we should do everything in order that reconciliation and dialogue be realized."