Reports: Iraq's Sunni and Shiite clerics agree to halt sectarian bloodshed

[ECH1969]

Iraqi Shiite and Sunni clerics on Friday met in Saudi Arabia's Mecca and agreed to halt the growing sectarian bloodletting in their war-torn country, said reports reaching here from the Islam's holiest city.

The two rival sides reached the agreement in a signed document, or final communique under which "spilling Muslim blood is forbidden", at the end of their two-day Mecca meeting organized by the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Participants included senior Shiite and Sunni clerics, representatives of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the top clerics in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, the former leader of Iraq's largest Sunni party and a senior official from the largest Shiite party, the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq.

According to media reports, the 10-point document, drafted by a group of four clerics from two communities under OIC auspices, draws on verses of the Koran and sayings of the Prophet Mohammed.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-10/21/content_5230853.htm

[ECH1969]

1. It isn't going to work

[Sinti]

2. This was a great idea on their part, just so they get on the record

saying it is haram. I'm just not so sure it's going to do any good. Are they really killing for religious reasons, or just plain old vengeance. I hope it helps, nonetheless.

[UpInArms]

3. so when does Dimson bring our troops home?

eom

[bemildred]

4. Thank goodness. Just in time to stop the civil war before the election.nt