KYOTO -- Muslim and Christian religious leaders from the Middle East, Europe, and the United States agreed Sunday in Kyoto to explore ways to ease tensions that have been on the rise since the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S. last year. They intend to expand on lessons learned in the Bosnian conflict.
Fundamental differences remained, however, over whether certain acts of violence should be regarded as terrorism or as self-defense allowed by religious law.
"Reconciliation of Conflicts and Religions" was the theme of the two-day conference that ended Sunday in Kyoto and drew about 1,300 people. The event was organized and mediated by the Japan-based Interreligious Gathering of Prayer for World Peace. The group is comprised of religious representatives from seven different religions and religious sects in Japan.