BERN, May 18, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – Representatives of the three monotheist religions in Switzerland have established a council to promote inter-faith tolerance and speak with one voice with the government and political parties.

"The Council of Religions will work to boost confidence among the followers of the three religions," Thomas Wipf, the president of the nascent body, told IsalmOnine.net, Wednesday, May 17.

"Stereotypes and misconceptions can only be corrected through dialogue," added Wipf, also president the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (SEK).

Hisam Maizar, chairman of the newly formed Federation of Islamic Organizations in Switzerland (FIDS) and one of the two Muslim representatives in the council, agreed.

"Dialogue will help foster mutual religious respect and support for common values," he told IOL.

The idea of the council, officially launched on Monday, May 15, dates back to an inter-faiths meeting held three years in Berlin cathedral on the eve of the Iraq war.

The six-member council will meet twice a year to examine burning issues with the ultimate goal of ensuring religious and social harmony and coexistence.

The council was officially launched Monday.

Alfred Donath, president of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities, will represent the Jews.

He also believes the new body would be a platform for effective inter-faith dialogue.

Bishop Kurt Koch, the representative of the Roman Catholics, said the new body would give advise to the parties concerned.

"Europeans in general follow up with concern the growth of Islam especially that Muslims minority have religious obligations and demands, which the authorities are not always aware of," he told IOL.

"This is there the council's role comes. It will examine such cases and give advice to the parties concerned."

The council members will reflect on the roles of their religions in achieving integration in different fields of cooperation.

Opinions expressed by the council will remain consultative and its recommendations non obligatory.

Muslim leaders said representation in the council is tantamount to an official recognition of their faith in Switzerland.

"The Muslims representation in such a significant and unprecedented council can be seen as a recognition of the minority," said Farhad Afshar, head of the Coordination of Islamic Organizations in Switzerland (CIOS) and the other Muslim member in the council.

"This is a very positive step that will help Muslims solve many of their problems with respect to education, cemetery and mosque-building."

Maizar agreed.

"Muslims are part and parcel of the Swiss society. As citizens we have rights and duties in building society."

Switzerland is home to some 380,000 Muslims, representing a sizable 4.7 percent of the country’s some eight million people.