LOC19:07
16:07 GMT
LONDON, July 12 (KUNA) -- Muslims and Christians have far more close ties
than they have differences, the heir to the British throne Prince Charles said
Thursday.
Speaking at the official opening of an exhibition on Islamic art in central
London, the Prince said the masterpieces on display "convey the clearest
possible message about the close ties between the Abrahamic faiths."
He said "So much attention is paid to the outward differences between
faiths. Almost reflexively, this becomes translated into seemingly
impenetrable divisions between people."
"People ... are in fact linked by much and separated by little." He said.
"How refreshing it is to be reminded by this marvellous exhibition of the
spirituality from which our faiths draw their real strength and of the
heritage and traditions which we share," the Prince added.
Charles toured the "Spirit and Life" exhibition at the Ismaili Centre, in
south Kensington, with his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Aga
Khan, Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who hosted the opening.
The exhibition, organised by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, features rare
Islamic art and manuscripts never before seen in the UK.
It includes miniatures from the Persian epic Shahnama (The Book of Kings)
and an extremely rare copy of the "Canon of Medicine of Ibn Sina" which was
used both in Europe and the Middle East as the standard medical textbook for
more than 500 years.
The display, which mixes religious artefacts with secular exhibits, also
features musical instruments, sculpture, pottery, Koranic texts and paintings.
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