The Council of Churches in Indonesia has joined calls for a controversial Dutch film about Islam made by far-right politician Geert Wilders not to be shown. In the past he called for the Qur'an to be banned.

A statement by leading Muslim scholars setting out the mainstream Islamic view on peace among the religions "for the sake of the world" has been described as "a historic breakthrough" by a leading Cambridge academic working on inter-religious issues with Christians.

The Bible and the Qur'an will share the spotlight with the usual menu of political debate and rancour when the US Congress reconvenes tomorrow (4 January 2007)- writes Chris Herlinger for Ecumenicl News International.