Living Library

CSM, Borrow a Muslim? A 'living library' to prick stereotypes, 4 Jun 08 non-tech, no e-loans, but an intriguing idea. "The idea is the brainchild of Ronni Abergel, a Danish antiviolence campaigner, who has taken the Living Library to 12 countries and watched it flourish in places as diverse as Australia and Turkey.

""We live in a time where we need dialogue," says Mr. Abergel. "With dialogue comes understanding and with that comes tolerance and that's the mission of the Living Library: to promote understanding and tolerance through dialogue.""" Not much in the way of details, but here's a link to the Living Library

Islamic unity drive

Plenty of coverage on this, starting with the official statement: Saudi Press Agency, King patronizes tomorrow International Islamic Dialogue Conference, 3 June 08
"The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz will patronize here tomorrow the International Islamic Dialogue Conference, due to be organized by the Muslim World League (MWL).
MWL's Secretary-General Dr Abdullah Al-Turki said the 3-day conference aims at shedding light on the concept of dialogue with followers of the various religions, cultures and civilizations."

Then there's a very lengthy piece in Asharq Alawsat, Interfaith Dialogue Conference Begins in Mecca, 6 Jun 08 "Dr. Abdullah Bin-Abdul Muhsin al-Turki, the MWL secretary-general and member of the Senior Ulema Commission, told Asharq Al-Awsat: "Holding the international conference for dialogue, which starts its proceedings today, is connected to the need to open channels of dialogue and discussions so as to reach common bases which serve humanity and spare the world and nations the evils of conflicts, polarization, and divisions. The interest of the Islamic institutions, among them the MWL, in the dialogue at this time is in response to the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' call, which came on time and as the world was witnessing expanded dialogue forums, to lay down the bases for an objective dialogue that blocks the way before anti-human institutions that are acting to shuffle the cards.""

Others are following this in varying degrees: BBC News, Saudis launch Islamic unity drive, 5 Jun 08 "Saudi Arabia's monarch has urged Muslims to speak with one voice in preparation for interfaith dialogue with the Jewish and Christian worlds." AP/Guardian, Saudi king opens conference on interfaith dialogue, 4 June 08 "The tone was one of reconciliation between Islam's two main branches, Sunni and Shiite. Abdullah, one of Sunni Islam's most prominent figures, entered the hall with Shiite Iranian politician Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who later sat at the king's left in a gesture of unity." Riazat Butt/Guardian, Mecca talks stress religious tolerance, 5 Jun 08 "Abdullah's understanding of interfaith dialogue differs from the one held by the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Al al-Sheikh, who said dialogue with other religions was a way to bring non-Muslims into Islam. The cleric, who is the highest official of religious law, told the delegates that converting people to Islam was the ultimate goal of dialogue, a point made several times. "It is the opportunity to disseminate the principles of Islam. Islam advocates dialogue among people, especially calling them to the path of Allah."" Riazat Butt is also blogging on her travels: Riazat Butt, Comment is Free, You don't have to western to be happy