Senior Iraqi Sunni, Shiite and Christian leaders met in London from 26 through 29 March 2006 to address escalating sectarian tensions and to stand united for social reconstruction and nation building.

The participants condemned the bombing of religious sites and the miss-use of religion in fomenting sectarian strife. In particular, they strongly rejected the practice of accusing some Iraqis of atheism as a pretext for violence and attacking their religious sites. Denouncing terrorism, they called for the need to distinguish between acts of terrorism, murder, and forced migration on the one hand and legitimate resistance, in accordance with international law, to any occupation.

The religious leaders called for ongoing dialogue amongst various religious and ethnic leaders by holding regular conferences, carrying out visits, forming peace teams to troubled areas and holding public gatherings that bring together all sects in public events.

Specifically, they leaders called for the convening of a widely inclusive conference in Iraq that will bring together all religious leaders through the activation of the Iraqi Council of Religions for Peace.

The religious leaders also stood together on the need for a powerful Iraqi government and a strong, balanced army capable of securing the country's sovereignty.

HRH Prince Hassan bin Talal, the Moderator of Religions for Peace, noted that "religious leaders could play an irreplaceable role in building a national social contract." He stressed the importance of values shared by all major Iraqi groups as a foundation for common action for national unity.

"The rise in sectarian violence and the acute danger of civil war makes the cooperation of senior religious representatives of Iraq's religious groups especially important" stated Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of the World Conference of Religions for Peace. He noted that the Iraqi religious leaders had urged Religions for Peace to work with them to convene regular meetings, help build an Iraqi Council of Religions for Peace and advance multi-religious humanitarian projects.

The former Vice Chair of the Nobel Peace Prize committee, Bishop Gunnar Stalsett, a co-President of the World Council of Religions for Peace, stressed the importance of religious leaders from outside Iraq supporting the efforts of cooperation by the Iraqi religious leaders.

Religions for Peace builds, equips and networks Inter-Religious Councils to harness the power of multi-religious cooperation to transform conflict, promote peace and advance sustainable development. Founded in 1970 as an international, non-sectarian organization, Religions for Peace is now the largest coalition of the world's religious communities, with a World Council that operates on the global level and affiliated Inter-religious Councils in seventy countries and four regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe).