Islamic Outreach, Part LXXXII

From an earlier post on this blog:

Pope Francis spoke to the diplomatic corps and amongst other things, said, "Hence it is important to intensify dialogue among the various religions, and I am thinking particularly of dialogue with Islam."

Meanwhile....

Looks like the Anglicans beat us to it!

Clergymen should grow beards to emphasise their holiness to Muslims, the Bishop of London has suggested.

Rt Reverend Richard Chartres said the modern fashion for facial hair should not be the preserve of hispters, but would also be likely to impress those from Eastern cultures where wearing a beard could mark a man out as holy.

He said the desire of the clergy of Tower Hamlets to 'reach out to the culture of the majority of their parishioners can only be applauded'.

He went on to say that David Beckham - who he describes as the 'nearest thing to a secular saint' - has 'stimulated countless imitators'.

One of the priests praised by the Bishop of London, the Rev. Atkinson told The Telegraph he found having a beard had helped provide a connection with many people in his parish, around 85 per cent of whom are Muslim.

Does the beard make you want to become an Anglican, Angry Islamic Guy?

NOOOOOOOO!