Prominent Muslim scholars are warning that the "survival
of the world" is at stake if Muslims and Christians do not
make peace with each other.

In an unprecedented open letter signed by 138 leading
Muslim scholars from every sect of Islam, the Muslims
plead with Christian leaders "to come together with us on
the common essentials of our two religions."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and
Pope Benedict are believed to have been sent copies of the
document which calls for greater understanding between
the two faiths.
The letter also spells out the similarities between
passages of the Bible and the Koran.
The Muslim scholars state: "As Muslims, we say to
Christians that we are not against them and that Islam is
not against them - so long as they do not wage war
against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them
and drive them out of their homes."

The phrasing has similarities to the New Testament
passage: "He that is not with me is against me" - a
passage used by President George Bush when addressing a
joint session of Congress nine days after 9/11.

The Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, a
non-governmental organisation based in Amman, Jordan,
has organised the letter.

The Institute said: "This historic letter is intended by its
138 signatories as an open invitation to Christians to
unite with Muslims over the most essential aspects of
their respective faiths - the principles of love of one God
and love of the neighbour.

"It is hoped that the recognition of this common ground
will provide the followers of both faiths with a shared
understanding that will serve to defuse tensions around
the world."
It continues: "Finding common ground between Muslims
and Christians is not simply a matter for polite
ecumenical dialogue between selected religious leaders.

"Together they (Muslims and Christians) make up more
than 55 per cent of the population, making the
relationship between these two religious communities the
most important factor in contributing to meaningful peace
around the world. If Muslims and Christians are not at
peace, the world cannot be at peace."

Among those launching the letter in the UK will be David
Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, and Fellow of Selwyn
College, University of Cambridge and founding director of
the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme.

Aref Ali Nayed, a leading theologian and senior adviser to
the Inter-Faith Programme, will also take part at the event
in central London.