AMMAN, Jordan - Representatives of each of Iraqs major religious groups - including Shi'ite, Sunni, and Christian leaders - today rejected violence and called for common action to build a just society in Iraq.

The meeting, titled Rejecting Violence and Promoting Peace with Justice, was convened by the World Conference on Religion and Peace, and hosted by its Moderator, His Royal Highness Prince El-Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. This was the first time representatives of all Iraqi religions met since Saddam Hussein took power.

In a "Joint Statement of Representatives of Iraq's Religious Communities" adopted at the conclusion of the meeting, representatives of Iraqs religious communities

. demanded that coalition forces abide by their full responsibilities as a de facto occupying power under international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention and the relevant Hague Conventions.

. called on coalition forces to provide effective security to assure that all Iraqis are safe and protected in their persons, households, and communities.

. called on international institutions and agencies to enhance the delivery of humanitarian assistance through greater cooperation with Iraqi religious and other social institutions, including women's and youth groups.

. called for an immediate temporary Iraqi national government, to be followed by a permanent Iraqi government built on the basis of direct, free and democratic elections, a constitution, and the rule of law that protects equally all religious, ethnic and national groupings.

. called for the creation of an Iraqi mechanism to provide advice on the situation in Iraq to the United Nations Secretary Generals Special Representative.

Finally, the leaders urged the international community to follow through on these recommendations, and invited the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) to work in partnership with Iraqs religious communities to achieve these goals.

Dr. William Vendley, secretary general of the WCRP, said, The Iraqi people can be gratified that their religious leaders have begun the critically important process of healing. Religious networks are uniquely equipped to meet the challenges of our time, during times of conflict and during times of reconstruction. This weeks conference demonstrates that collaboration of Iraqs religious communities is possible, is already a powerful tool to meet the needs of the Iraqi people, and needs to be further strengthened.

Attending the conference were representatives of the following Shiite leaders: Ayatollah Muqtada al-Sadr, Sayyid Hussain al-Sadr, Ayatollah Mohammed al-Sayyid al-Hakim, and participants close to Sayyed Ali al-Sestani. Sheikh Ahmed al-Qubiesy attended on behalf of Iraqs Sunni community. Christian leaders also participated, including the Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Baghdad Emanuael Deli.

The 20-plus representatives of Iraqs religious communities were joined in solidarity by more than 40 international religious leaders, including Dr. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the U.S.-based National Council of Churches, a community of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican, and historically African American faith groups.

WCRPs Moderator, Prince El-Hassan bin Talal, said, In these troubled times, Iraqs religious leaders give Iraqis a message of hope. Saving lives and upholding the dignity of the Iraqi people is our sole aim in coming together. Pledging common action to assure a just society in Iraq, these religious leaders demonstrate that religion can be a powerful force for peace and for affirming our common humanity.

The World Conference on Religion and Peace is the largest world-wide coalition of representatives of the major religions, committed to take common action to promote peace.

World Conference on Religion and Peace