Interfaith dialogue

Time flies... It was nearly a decade ago that Turkish and Spanish leaders institutionalized their efforts to build interfaith dialogue and peace between the Islamic and Western worlds. Since then, at least a couple of million (overwhelmingly Muslim) people have been killed (overwhelmingly by Muslims in sectarian and other wars).

The head of Turkey?s Directorate General for Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has said inter-religious dialogue is "not possible" between Islam and Christianity, saying a relationship based on justice and rights should instead be built.

At a time of strained relations between Muslims and majority communities in Europe, the Roman Pontiff has singled out Albania as a country where different faiths coexist more happily.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan keeps hosting very important heads of state who want to see all Muslims dead – last week, the guest was Pope Francis and this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin.