Saudi King Shuns Extremism as Faiths Gather
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah called on followers of the world's major faiths to turn away from extremism and seek reconciliation as he opened an unprecedented interfaith conference in Madrid on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The Saudi-sponsored gathering aims to draw Muslims, Jews and Christians closer together and isolate those who use religion to justify violence or intolerance. It as the first time Saudi Arabia had invited Jews to such a meeting. The king also invited Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs.