Pope calls on religions to unite against terrorism

By Philip Pullella

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict called for all religions to unite against terrorism and resolve conflicts peacefully on Friday and heard an Islamic leader urge Christians to overcome "misconceptions and prejudices" about Muslims.

"In a world threatened by sinister and indiscriminate forms of violence, the unified voice of religious people urges nations and communities to resolve conflict through peaceful means and with full regard for human dignity," Benedict told an meeting with Muslims, Jews and members of other non-Christian faiths.

The pope, in Australia for the Church's World Youth Day, also said the Catholic Church was open to learn from other religions, a comment seen in the context of moves to improve relations with other religions, particularly Islam.

"The Church eagerly seeks opportunities to listen to the spiritual experience of other religions," he said.

Catholic-Muslim relations nosedived in 2006 after Benedict delivered a lecture in Regensburg, Germany, that was taken by Muslims to imply that Islam was violent and irrational.

Muslims around the world protested and the pope sought to make amends when he visited Turkey's Blue Mosque and prayed towards Mecca with its Imam.

Sheikh Mohamadu Saleem, executive member of the Australian National Imams Council, told the pope: "Muslims should become more inclusive and universal in their understanding of their religions.

"At the same time, significant segments of the Christian and other religious communities should overcome their misconceptions and prejudices of Islam and Muslims," Saleem said.