BERLIN, May 3: Christian ministers will tackle Muslim imams in a pre-World Cup friendly officiated by a Jewish referee as part of an initiative aimed at increasing understanding among religions, it was announced Wednesday.

The eight-a-side match presided over by three Jewish officials was organised by the German Protestant Church and will take place Saturday, just over a month before the big World Cup kick-off on June 9.

The friendly match is part of a wider initiative associated with a conference organised by the British Embassy in Berlin on integration, racism and football and will be the first such match in Germany, according to the Church of Berlin and Brandenbourg.

Churches of different Christian denominations are also organising a series of events including festivals and concerts under the banner “kickoff2006 — Kick-off Faith,” using football's global appeal to promote tolerance and unity.

At Geithain in the east of Germany, the protestant church is also trying to organise a mini-World Cup among 32 churches to mirror the actual event.

Unlike the FIFA-organised World Cup, though, there are no plans for a cartoon mascot.—Agencies