VERY COOL

The newly formed Iraqi Inter- Religious Council for Peace (Iq-IRC) will meet for its first working session this weekend to address the role of religious communities in rebuilding Iraq and establishing conditions for Iraqi self-government. Convened by the World Conference of Religions for Peace, the Iq-IRC comprises senior Iraqi religious figures, including Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims, Christians and Sabeans...

"The formation of the Inter-Religious Council is a commitment by Iraq's religious leaders to address inter-religious tensions, to work together to meet critical humanitarian needs and to find constructive ways to help forge a new political order," said Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace.

Humanitarian assistance already is underway in the name of the Inter-Religious Council through mosques, churches, temples and hospitals, providing food, water and medicines to the needy regardless of religious affiliation. "At our mosque we distribute food and medicine supplied by Christian organizations. Together we survive," said Sheikh Ali Houssein-al Jabbouri of efforts at the Shakir al-Adoud mosque in Baghdad.