Qatar’s prime minister said he would consider inviting Jews to the emirate’s annual Muslim-Christian dialogue conference, at the opening session of the 2004 summit last week, according to news reports.
‘Abdallah Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s comments were surprising in a country where religious freedom for Christians has only recently become a reality. He added that he wanted to use monotheism as a common factor in bringing together people of different faiths.
Top Qatari cleric Sheikh Youssuf Al-Qara’dawi, also a participant in the conference, denounced Al Thani’s call for Jews to be involved in future dialogue, according to reports in the Arab media.
The announcement came as a conference entitled “100 Imams and 100 Rabbis for Peace” was cancelled in Morocco allegedly because of Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip.
The second annual conference attracted 200 delegates from around the world.
The Emir of Qatar, Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, is seen as one of the more progressive figures in the Arab world, granting Christians moderate freedoms and calling for a permanent dialogue with the West. Qatar is also one of the only Arab countries to trade with Israel.