JEDDAH, Oct 8: The Organisation of the Islamic Conference is sponsoring an initiative by Iraqi Shia and Sunni clerics to halt mounting sectarian bloodshed between the two communities.

The proposals, dubbed the Makkah document, are to be discussed at a two-day meeting in Islam’s holiest city from October 19 to 20, the bloc’s secretariat in this western Saudi city said on Sunday.

“The OIC finds it necessary to launch an initiative aimed at putting a stop to the sedition .. and the shedding of the blood of Muslims in Iraq,” a statement said.

“This document will launch an appeal to the whole Iraqi people setting out for them the clear position of Islam on the shedding of the blood of Muslims and calling on them to respect Islamic principles to this effect.”

The proposals were drawn up at a two-day meeting that closed in Jeddah on Sunday. OIC secretary general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu chaired the meeting that was attended by four Iraqi clerics drawn from both Muslim sects.

In July, the OIC announced it was setting up a special ministerial committee to follow developments in Iraq.—AFP