Yaoundé, Cameroon, Mar 19, 2009 / 07:36 am
Pope Benedict began the last full day of activities on the Cameroon leg of his visit to Africa by meeting with representatives of the Muslim community. He noted that Christianity and Islam share some of the same beliefs and called on the leaders to help foster "genuine religion" which involves reason and religious beliefs working in harmony.
The meeting with representatives of the Muslim community began at 9:00 on Thursday morning with a few words from the Islamic Cultural Association of Cameroon’s President Amadou Bell.
The Holy Father then addressed the group discussing how religion can make an essential contribution to understanding culture and the world, and to the peaceful coexistence of peoples.
With 20 percent of its population being Muslim, Pope Benedict pointed out that "Cameroon is home to thousands of Christians and Muslims, who often live, work and worship in the same neighborhood."