Amman, Oct. 11, 2007 (CWNews.com) - "The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians." That was the message of 138 Islamic leaders, in an appeal for cooperation with the world's Christians.

Noting that Christians and Muslims together account for more than one-half of the world's population, the Islamic leaders called for cooperation between these two religious groups to reduce international tensions. "Without peace and justice between these two religious communities," their statement asserted, "there can be no meaningful peace in the world."

Quoting from both the Bible and the Qu'ran in their lengthy document, the Muslim leaders argued that both Christian and Islam doctrine support the call for inter-religious cooperation that would go beyond "polite ecumenical [sic] dialogue" and ensure genuine commitment to the cause of peace.

The Muslim leaders' statement was sponsored by the Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan, and signed by Islamic leaders from 25 different countries. The message was addressed to the world's most prominent Christian leaders, beginning with Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) and including the patriarchs of the autocephalous Orthodox churches; the heads of the Coptic, Syrian, Armenian, and Assyrian churches; the Archbishop of Canterbury; the head of the World Council of Churches, and other Protestant leaders.