Cooperation between the Church and the Muslim community is a very encouraging issue. The service of Mankind is the mission of Catholicism as well as Islam, as it as well for any other religions.

The Vatican News Paper N.25-1996 June page 5, Weekly Edition published what followes:

Muslims and Catholics issue statement in Cairo on importance of co-operation in promotingdevelopment.

The following is the English text of the statement issued by Islamo-Catholic Committee after meeting on 30 May in Cairo, Egypt. On Thussday, 12 Muharram 1417, corresponding to 30 May 1996, the Islamo-Catholic Liaison Committee held its second meeting in Cairo, Arab Repunblic of Egypt. It met to examine basic issues in the light of religious values with the aim of promoting collabration between Christians and Muslims for the fulfilment of the hopes of people for development, justice and peace. Three themes were studied; the relationship between justice and human dignity, environmental protection and human security, and poverty and methods of relief. After sharing information and exchanging points of view the participants agreed upon the following:

1) That the defense of society from justice, from the pollution of the environment and from the increase of poverty is part of the responsasblity of political and religious institutions.

2) To call upon these institutions to hold meeting, each in its own field and together in sofar as is possible, to study the threats to human dignity and to the environment, and collaborate in overcoming them, mindful of the links between these two.

3) To urge governmental and non-governmental institutions, religious organizations and centres of scientific and cultural research to collaborate in removing the causes of aggression against human dignity and against the safety of the enviroment, and bringing relief to the poor by providing the basic necessities with regard to housing, health and food.

4) The participants agreed to call upon experts on both sides to prepare studies on specific themes which will then be submitted to the Committee for examination in future meetings.

5) The participants expressed their great sorrow at the killing of seven monks in Algeria, at the same time expressing their refusal and condemnation of all violence, especially in the name of religion, in any place and from whatever source.

6) The participants expressed their pleasure at the meeting in Egypt, and their appreciation and thanks toxthe Grand Immam Sheikh Al-Azhar for his participation