Press Room

Washington, DC, February 18, 2010

Christian-Muslim Summit in March Will Launch Diplomatic Initiatives to End Violence


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Washington, D.C.—Delegations consisting of leaders from Anglican, Shi’a, Sunni, and Catholic faith traditions will convene March 1–3, 2010, to discuss reconciliation between Islam and the West at Washington National Cathedral.

The satellite coordinates for organizations interested in receiving a feed are:

Window: 1800-2100ET w/30 minute approx.
Satellite: AMC 16
Transponder: 21
Slot: A6
Uplink Freq.: 14405 H
Downlink Freq.: 12105 V
Symbol Rate:  4.3404
FEC:  3/4

Four principals from each faith, along with five eminent religious leaders and experts from his respective religious community, will strategize on how to use their influence within their governments to promote peace efforts worldwide.

The four principal leaders include:

Ayatollah Dr. Seyyed Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad Ahmadabadi, professor of law at Shaid Beheshti University in Tehran.

Professor Dr. Ahmad Mohamed El Tayeb, president of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.

His Eminence Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane, eighth bishop of Washington. Bishop Chane has traveled to Iran on numerous occasions as an invited guest of former President Khatami, speaking to, and studying with, numerous religious leaders at seminaries and universities in the cities of Tehran and Qom.

David Ignatius, Washington Post associate editor and op-ed columnist, is scheduled to moderate the discussion.

On the evening of March 3 at 7 the Christian-Muslim Summit concludes with a public dialogue among the summit participant for invited guests in the nave of Washington National Cathedral.

A live feed for television broadcast of the March 3 public dialogue will be provided by the Cathedral. A press conference with the participants will take place from 4 to 4:45 pm on March 3, and credentialed reporters are welcome to attend the press conference and address. Satellite information will be forthcoming.

For detailed biographies of the four participants, a list of “The Twenty” delegates and more information on the summit, please link to http://www.nationalcathedral.org/learn/summit2010/.

Credential information: Media representatives must present White House, Capitol Hill, Department of State, or Department of Defense press credentials to gain entry. Please also present a picture ID with date of birth on the picture ID. To be credentialed, please email Elizabeth Mullen, emullen@cathedral.org.

Radio: Mults will be provided at the news conference; during the dialogue, mults will be provided in the Cathedral’s south balcony, the Cathedral’s working press gallery.

Still photographers: Still photographers will be allowed into the press conference and will be placed in the south balcony during the address.

SOURCE: Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral
Media Contact: Richard Weinberg
Work: (202) 537-5548