Following a major four-day conference last week, Christian and Muslim leaders from around the world have announced the first fruits of the "Common Word" exchange through a joint statement affirming their support for religious freedom and further inter-faith dialogue based on their common love for God and neighbour.
During the "Loving God and Neighbour" meeting at Yale University, the high-profile leaders discussed how Christians and Muslims might work together to address world poverty, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the situation in Palestine and Israel, the dangers of further wars, and the freedom of religion.
On Thursday, over 140 conference participants unanimously approved a joint statement that signalled a new beginning of collaboration between Christians and Muslims where stronger assertions of faith would be not just be allowed but required.
Leith Anderson, president of National Association of Evangelicals and Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, international director of the World Evangelical Alliance, were among top evangelical leaders at the July 28-31 conference who agreed to sign the document.
The statement began by affirming the "unity and absoluteness of God" and God's merciful love as central to both religions.
The most weight was placed on the second paragraph in which religious leaders affirmed a mutual respect for each other's faith.
"We recognise that all human beings have the right to the preservation of life, religion, property, intellect, and dignity. No Muslim or Christian should deny the other these rights, nor should they tolerate the denigration or desecration of one another's sacred symbols, founding figures, or places of worship," the statement declares.
The statement also denounced a death threat by Al Qaeda last week against Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah for hosting an inter-faith conference this month in Madrid.
The leaders agreed to "denounce and deplore threats made against those who engage in inter-faith dialogue".
"Dialogue is not a departure from faith," the statement affirmed. "[I]t is a legitimate means of expression and an essential tool in the quest for the common good."
Conference delegates also made plans for one week in the year that would see Muslim and Christian clergy preach to their own congregations on a positive aspect other's faith. Other practical steps to promote understanding between the two faiths include a website with respected Christian and Muslim books and a study guide with frequently asked questions about the two faiths.
