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Code: ZE03072210

Date: 2003-07-22

500 Leaders From Major Religions to Meet in Germany

ROME, JULY 22, 2003 (Zenit.org).- More than 500 leaders of the world's major religions will meet in Aachen from Sept. 7-9 for a conference convoked by that German diocese and the Community of Sant'Egidio.

The meeting, whose motto is "Between War and Peace: Religions and Cultures Meet," is the 17th world conference on "Men and Religions." The conferences seek to keep alive the spirit of the important meetings of religious representatives for peace, called in Assisi, Italy, by John Paul II, beginning in 1986.

Attendees at the meeting this September are expected to include Sheikh Mohammed Ahmad At-Tayyib, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, and Meir Lau, former Chief Rabbi of Israel.

More than 15 cardinals and patriarchs of the Catholic Church plan to attend, as well as representatives of all the Orthodox Churches, including a delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate, and the World Council of Churches. Buddhist, Hindu, Zoroastrian and Shintoist representatives will also participate in the meeting.

The event will include some 30 seminars, on topics such as the Middle East, the death penalty, and AIDS in Africa.

More details are at www.santegidio.org.