LONDON, Britain: Muslim scholars from around the world attending an international conference in London said proximity amongst Islamic schools of thought is a common Muslim demand and should never be neglected even if others fail in performing their duties.

"Proximity amongst Islamic schools of thought aims at forming shared aspirations and common standpoints," the scholars said in their final communiqué. "These standpoints should contribute to present a unique, united, and strong stance while carrying on inter-faith dialogue and inter- religions discourses."

The two-day conference on the proximity among Islamic schools of thought and the role of Muslims in Diaspora was convened at the Islamic Centre in England (ICIE) over the weekend to deal with practicality of bridging the divide between Islamic sects.

Among the speakers were Sayed Al-Milani, Ayatullah Sheikh Mohsin Al-Araki, Sheikh Fayz Al-Aqtab, Al-Ostaz Ahmed Az-Zabyan, Sheikh Fazil Al-Khateeb, Al-Ostaz Ali Al-Ausi, Dr Talib Ar-Rimahi, Dr Ahmed As-Sahmrani, and Al-Ostaz Ebrahim Al-Ati.

The communiqué also condemned knighthood for Salman Rushdie and desecration of holy sites in Iraq.