Dialogue is “the best way for mutual understanding and cooperation in human relations as well as in peaceful coexistence among nations,” said the final communiqué issued by the recent Madrid conference on inter-faith relations.

The scale of the challenge and the glimmer of new possibilities in interreligious understnading is on display at the 16-18 July international interfaith conference convened in Madrid by the Muslim World League.

Pope Benedict XVI has met for the first time with a Saudi Arabian monarch, the controversial King Abdullah. A carefully worded communique from the Vatican avoids an mention of the human rights issues that have caused outrage among campaigners.

Christian-Muslim relations and the rights of the minority Christian community are among the likely discussion points when Pope Benedict XVI meets with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah next week - after his controversial UK state visit.

Religion and culture are abused when they are employed illegitimately to justify the suppression of women and the denial of their equal humanity, human rights lawyer Chrie Booth argued yesterday in a lecture at Chatham House in London.

The Saudi head of state King Abdullah found the Mall in London lined by anti-arms and human rights protesters as he travelled in ceremony to Buckingham Palace today. Critics worldwide are appalled that his regime is being feted by the Queen and Prime Minister.

The Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has received police permission for a demonstration on the Mall as the Saudi head of state King Abdullah rides in ceremony towards Buckingham Palace tomorrow morning. Human rights protests are also predicted.