Muslim Leaders Tackle Extremism at Conference in Mecca

December 5, 2005

Source: Reuters

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-12-05T051411Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-226353-1.xml

On December 5, 2005 Reuters reported, "Muslim leaders gather in the holy city of Mecca this week to find ways of tackling religious extremism, social challenges and political divisions which Saudi Arabia says have plunged the Islamic world in crisis. Kings and presidents from the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference will meet for a special two-day summit starting on Wednesday called by Saudi King Abdullah, whose country has been battling al Qaeda militants for two years. 'This summit comes as the Islamic society is living in grave circumstances because of the crises it is facing,' Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said on Sunday. Officials say the leaders will try [to] emphasi[ze] Islam's peaceful message -- with the twin aim of tackling domestic extremism and answering critics who link Islam with terrorism. They will also discuss conflict management."